It’s Showcase time!
Back to basics for annual Showcase
It’s back to basics for Showcase, the annual charity musicals performance up at the Church Hill Theatre this week, with a show titled simply Showcase 2014.
This year’s repertoire is as eclectic as always, but without the central theme which has marked every Showcase, other than the 2003 offering, since the company moved to the Church Hill in 1991 with West End Showstoppers.
Company publicist Brett Herriot told Æ: “The title for this year is simply Showcase 2014 – we are going back to basics! Our 25th Anniversary Season begins with curtain up on this year’s show and ends with curtain down of our 25th Anniversary spectacular in Edinburgh’s King’s theatre in May 2015.”
This year sees director Andy Johnston and musical director David McFarlane working together on the show for the 16th year running. The near-legendary Showcase sound is down to McFarlane, who both orchestrates the music and writes the vocal arrangements.
big show routines
Choreography will be by Claire Smith, ensuring that this is no simple concert either, with big show routines to back up the vocal lines. Although the highest quality amateur performance vocal delivery is sought, with an audition process for those who want to join the company.
Who’s This? A chorus number from Showcase 2013: Musical Diversity. Photo: Mark Cassidy
The 50-strong cast – supported by a 14-strong orchestra – will be getting their chops round songs from Aztec Camera, 4 Non Blondes, Pink, Bastille, Buddy Holly and Led Zeppelin. The company is known for its tributes to West End shows and this year pays tribute to Tim Minchin’s songs from West End smash Matilda.
Showcase was started by John Wright and Bobby Harvey in 1985 to raise money for charity using the musical skills and talents of some of the best non-professional performers in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. The aim is “to produce a highly entertaining and professional show incorporating a wide variety of musical styles”.
Over that time, the company has raised going on quarter of a million pounds for its chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Looking forward to May 2015, Showcase celebrates its 25th anniversary with a double date at the King’s Theatre on Friday 29 and Saturday 30. The show will double the singers on stage to at least a hundred, and will be featuring songs from the great modern-day Musicals, including Les Miserables, Wicked and Hairspray, alongside some of the greatest songs of the last 50 years by Queen, Adele, Elbow, Oasis and The Beatles.
Listings
Showcase 2014
Church Hill Theatre, 33a Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DR
Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 September 2014
Daily, 7.30pm, Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Tickets £14 (£10 opening night). To purchase tickets, email tickets@show-case.co.uk or call call the ticket hotline: 07473 708287
Further details on Showcase website: www.show-case.co.uk
Showcase facebook page:
Showcase 25th Anniversary
King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Edunburgh EH3 9LQ
Friday 29-Saturday 30 May 2015.
Daily, 7.30pm, Sat mat: 2.30pm.
Tickets £15-£18 from: www.edtheatres.com/showcase
ENDS
