Earlier in the day we had also come across their theatre (see reference 1). The mainstay of their offering, at least for the moment, was a legendary show called 'Best of West End' from Spotlight (see reference 2). This appeared to be a medley drawn from West End musicals. Not really our thing, but we were tempted, perhaps by having seen the 'Funnybones' several times on television, where they had been intruded into Agatha Christie's story 'Sleeping Murder'. Decided against on the grounds that a 2015 start was a bit late for us. We could have gone by train but we would have been out of the house for perhaps 5 hours, getting home around midnight. Not tempting enough to get us out that late.
At the time of writing this, they had sold maybe 35 out of 350 stalls seats. I did not check the balcony, but I imagine that would be much the same. Not the sea of smiling faces we had seen for the 'Funnybones'. But I remember as I type the saying that whacking it out, every night and with enthusiasm to a near empty seaside theatre is one of the finest trainings to be had for the West End. Perhaps best not to use the chemical mood enhancers resorted to by at least some of the Funnybones. A bit depressing that a sing along to Frozen - which, assuming the title means what I think it does, sounds and probably would sound really grim - has sold rather better.
Looking at the Spotlight web site this morning, they look to be an enterprising bunch with their activities including doing a version of the West End show in the summer of every year, a pantomime in the winter and various drama school stuff. It would be intriguing to be a fly on their wall and find out how their tone compared with that of our own Laine Theatre Arts, the proprietrix of which does have tone. Or at least she did, the last time we came across her, some years ago.
Reference 1: http://www.shanklintheatre.com/.
Reference 2: http://www.spotlightiow.co.uk/.
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