“ALL TOGETHER NOW” Review

WOW! WOW! WOW! What a comeback show for this highly talented Youth Theatre group. Ryedale Youth Theatre were chosen to take part in a global event celebrating local theatre, bringing fifteen songs from popular shows, most of them well known and all of them terrific, to Malton’s Milton Rooms stage. From the opening number “Be my Guest” – where the cast walked among the cabaret-style seated audience and dressed the tables with blue cloths and candles – to the rousing and colourful last song and dance routine of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” the whole show flowed along seamlessly. Every solo, duet, trio and quartet of singers were note perfect, whether it was the juniors (up to school year 8) or the seniors (to age 18) or the whole ensemble cast their voices blended and harmonised beautifully. There was wonderful choreography too – filling the stage with colour and movement, adding and enhancing the vocals. All the cast wore tee-shirts with the show’s title – All Together Now – across the front, emphasising their own togetherness as well as their being part of a show being performed by theatre companies of every age all around the world.

There were some truly stunning performances from both the junior group and the seniors, as well as the whole ensemble cast, brought to life by the team of Rachael Clarke, Lauren Hood and Chloe Shipley who delivered this show to us with only six weeks of rehearsals, a fact which I wouldn’t have guessed from the professional show I saw – but it was mentioned by the two comperes (also RYT members). With so much energy and hard work going into the production it’s such pity that there were only two performances of this show for us to enjoy. Thankfully we do have RYT’s next production to look forward to in April, when they will be bringing Roald Dahl’s much loved “Matilda Jr – The Musical” to the Milton Rooms for the first time.

The cast of “All Together Now” – about half of the current membership were able to take part – showcased just some of the deep pool of talent within Ryedale Youth Theatre. With performances like this from members of every age the future of the finest Youth Theatre group I’ve ever seen is secured. RYEDALE YOUTH THEATRE IS WELL AND TRULY BACK.

Anne-Marie Gatford