Exeter Musical Society - Formerly Exeter Amateur Operatic Society - Established 1904
 
Press Publications
 
This page contains articles from the local press. For reviews from our recent shows, click here 
 
Express & Echo - April 15, 2011, Super challenge ahead for cast
 
WITH a 50-strong cast of passionate, talented performers, stunning props, a pit of professional musicians and a few special effects to boot, Exeter Musical Society's imminent show, Jesus Christ Superstar, is set to dazzle.The society is back at the Northcott next week with the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic which is in its 40th year, having had to relocate to the Barnfield last year when the theatre went into administration.
 
"It's an absolutely fantastic show," said society chairman, Josiah Carrier. "We're performing a traditional Roman take on it as opposed to one of the more modern versions that are about. The costumes are amazing. They're really representative of the era, they look great and really enhance the show. The talent of the cast, the costumes, lights, set and music makes the whole thing incredible. And we have some special effects as well including fire guns which is so exciting. We had a choice which week to have the show and we thought it would be very apt to put the show on over Easter. When we select shows to do we have to think about which ones people are going to want to come and see and which are going to be enjoyed by the performers and the public. There's a lot of acting but no spoken words so the story, characterisation and expression is all conveyed through song, movement and dance. So our musical director Julia Green, director Martin J Kingston and choreographer Nicolette Pollard have had an amazing challenge. The cast have risen to the challenge fantastically as well. It's a large cast this year and the sound in the chorus numbers is like having a choir in front of you, the harmonies are sensational. And the 12-piece orchestra adds another dimension. I'm incredibly excited about it. We're all raring to go. It only runs for a week and when you go full on head into it, it flies by so quickly, it's so much fun.
The story highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus during his last seven days on earth.The tale is based on the account in John's Gospel and begins with the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending at his crucifixion.
Taking on the role of Jesus is musical veteran and city estate agent John Burgoyne. Judas is being played by secondary school teacher, guitarist and rock singer, Matt Roberts.
"John has been with the society for 20 years so he's been round the block a few times," said Josiah. "But he's very excited about playing a new part."He has a very strong tenor voice which is perfect for the part of Jesus. This will be Matt's musical debut. He has one hell of a voice on him, a real rock voice. He is absolutely fantastic for the part. They're like chalk and cheese in real life, one's an estate agent the other's a rocker, so it's a bit like Jesus and Judas in the show. It's a good mix."
"Next year they are staging The Sound of Music. The Barnfield is a lovely theatre but it's a lot smaller than the Northcott," continued Josiah. "You can't be so lavish in a smaller venue."It was a fantastic feeling to know we'd be back at the Northcott this spring, although we were apprehensive at first because we didn't want a repeat of the sleepless nights we had last year. We've been at the Northcott since 1973 so it's our spiritual home."We've always been an amateur company but it still costs us around £50,000 to put on a show and we don't get any funding."But we're surrounded by professionals so we're able to put on a breathtaking show. We have 12 professional musicians in the pit, a professional musical director, artistic director and choreographer. And a set that costs around £5,000.The society attracts a high calibre of performers. Some of our cast members have gone on to become professional.
 
Express & Echo - April 4, 2011, Musical Fun in a Flash!
 
MEMBERS of Exeter Musical Society surprised shoppers in Princesshay by launching into a snippet of their upcoming show.The "flash mob" involved 20 members of the 48-strong cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, which runs at Exeter Northcott from Monday, April 18, to Saturday, April 23
When the music started to play, the performers, who had been pretending to shop or have coffee, came together to join in a dance routine from the show.
 
Express & Echo - March 2, 2011, Muiscal Society happy to be back at the Northcott
 
MEMBERS of Exeter Musical Society are gearing up to return to the Exeter Northcott this April with a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Rehearsals are now in full swing and the group is looking forward to returning to the theatre after having to relocate its last production, Anything Goes, to the Barnfield Theatre last year.
The amateur dramatics club, formerly the Exeter Amateur Operatic Society, was due to perform at the Northcott in May but was forced to move its production when the theatre went into administration in March.
A £100,000 grant from the Arts Council only secured shows up to April last year, so members of the society feared that if they waited to see whether the summer programme would go ahead, they could end up losing £40,000 of the society's money.
Society chairman Josiah Carrier said: "It's wonderful to have the chance to get the society back into a place that has been its home since it opened in 1973.
"Sadly, last year, things out of our control prevented us from performing a West End-worthy show there.
"But this year we are back to amaze the audience with this rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, which is in its 40th anniversary year.
"Our production team, including director Martin J Kingston, musical director Julia Green and choreographer Nicholette Pollard, are already working hard with the 50-strong cast to provide an evening of memorable entertainment.
"Also, as the week's run includes Good Friday, we will be doing two matinee performances, so there will be an even greater chance to see it."
Performances will run fromMonday, April 18, until Saturday, April 23, at 7.30pm with Good Friday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
Tickets, priced £12.50 to £18, are available from the Northcott Theatre box office on 01392 493493 or online at www.exeternorthcott.co.uk Group discounts are available for group bookings of 10-plus.
 
Express & Echo - September 15, 2010, Deja vu for actors who found love 
 
THEY met when they played the leading roles in Cole Porter's classic Anything Goes, but John Burgoyne and Lyn Hackett had no idea what an influential decision the play's casting director had taken.The keen actors clearly got a kick out of each other and three years after that fateful 1999 production they were married.
Now the couple, who have a six-year-old daughter and run Burgoynes Estate Agency, are setting sail in the same roles once again.Anything Goes is being staged by the Exeter Musical Society at the Barnfield Theatre this week.Lyn, now Mrs Burgoyne, is once again playing Reno Sweeney, opposite her husband as Billy Crocker.John, 45, said rehearsals had gone well. 
"It is great that 11 years on we are still able to play the same parts," he said."It is all very familiar, although being that bit older retaining the lines was harder work this time around. John was working for another city estate agency at the time they met and his wife-to-be worked for the police force."
The couple have since set up their own business.John said the musical would always have a special place in their hearts."Being a Cole Porter musical it is full of wonderful songs and is tremendous fun," he said."We feel very lucky to be taking part in this again."
This year's production was due to be staged in the Exeter Northcott earlier this year but was moved to the Barnfield when the Northcott went into administration.The director could not commit to the new dates so Lyn, 47, took on that role as well.John paid tribute to his wife's hard work."It has been a real labour of love," he said."There have been sleepless nights and a lot of stress but the whole company agrees she has done a fantastic job."
Lyn said: "We were due to stage this show at the Northcott in May, but due to the issues at the theatre outside our control the society decided not to go ahead. It has been almost 12 months of rehearsing but the hard work has paid off. I feel very lucky to be working opposite John again, with a talented company in such a superb show."
 
Express & Echo - September 11, 2010, Annie's stage audition is 'Doggone faultless' 
 
THE latest member of the cast for the forthcoming Exeter Musical Society's Anything Goes has passed her audition with flying colours.Annie the Shih Tzu is set to play Cheeky after a "faultless audition".
 
The producers are now hoping someone will donate an old disused violin that can be "dropped" during the show.
The show runs for a week from Monday at the Barnfield Theatre. It is on from 7.30pm each night with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are available on 01392 270891.
 
Express & Echo - September 10, 2010, Society is now ready for Anything
 
IT really was a case of the show must go on when a community amateur dramatics company lost its venue.
The Exeter Musical Society, formerly the Exeter Amateur Operatic Society, was due to perform at the Northcott in May but had to withdraw when the theatre went into administration in March. 
But they didn't give up and found a new stage to perform their latest production Anything Goes — the city's Barnfield Theatre. And the show will go on next Tuesday to Saturday.
Publicity officer Adrian Fox said: "The committee, at the time, thought long and hard about the consequences of pulling the show and it was with regret that they felt the need to withdraw from the Northcott."At the time, we were all disappointed that after months of rehearsing we had to cancel the show at the last minute, but it was out of our control. All of us knew it was the right decision because of the risk of losing company money, and to protect the long-term future of the society. But straight away, our attitude was that our show would go on and it was a case of finding a new venue."
He added: "The society has been in existence for over 100 years, has a huge following and means so much to so many people. Moving the show from May to September and changing venue meant the society had to source a new director and musical director, due to their original team having other engagements later in the year. Lyn Burgoyne has taken on the role of director as well as starring in the show, and Catherine Warren has taken over as musical director.Society chairman Josiah Carrier said the cast can't wait to perform. He said: "This has been a really challenging journey for all of us. But everyone has stuck together and this has created a very special atmosphere and team spirit among us all. Having worked tirelessly for so many months, there is a real sense of enthusiasm and anticipation about the show."Anything Goes is one of Cole Porter's finest musicals."
 
Express & Echo - September 10, 2010, Society is now ready for Anything
 
SURPRISED shoppers were treated to a glimpse of a city musical society's looming show when they performed a brief song and dance in Princesshay.
Members of Exeter Musical Society staged the spectacle twice on Saturday to publicise their show of Anything Goes. It will be staged at The Barnfield Theatre from September 13 to September 18 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
 
Express & Echo - August 05, 2010,
Cancelled summer show goes on for theatre-wrangle cast 
 
A COMMUNITY amateur dramatics group which was forced to cancel its summer show at the Northcott has announced the show will go on at another venue.The Exeter Musical Society, formerly the Exeter Amateur Operatic Society, was due to perform at the Northcott in May.
But when the theatre went into administration in March, a £100,000 grant from the Arts Council only secured shows up to April.
Members of the society feared if they waited to see if the summer programme would go ahead, they could end up losing £40,000 of the society's money.But now, after months of reorganisation, the society has announced performances of Anything Goes will be staged at The Barnfield in September.
Publicity officer Adrian Fox said: "The committee, at the time, thought long and hard about the consequences of pulling the show and it was with regret that they felt the need to withdraw from the Northcott. At the time, we were all disappointed that after so many months of rehearsing we had to cancel the show at the last minute, but it was out of our control. All of us knew it was the right decision because of the risk of losing company money, and to protect the long-term future of the society. But straightaway, our attitude was that our show would go on and it was a case of seeing what was available and finding a new venue."
He added: "The society has been in existence for over 100 years, has a huge following and means so much to so many people."Moving the show from May to September and changing venue meant the society had to source a new director and musical director, due to their original team having other engagements later in the year.Lyn Burgoyne has taken on the role of director as well as starring in the show, and Catherine Warren has taken over as musical director." Society chairman Josiah Carrier said the cast can't wait to perform.He said: "This has been a really challenging journey for all of us. But everyone has stuck together and this has created a very special atmosphere and team spirit among us all. Having worked tirelessly for so many months, there is a real sense of enthusiasm and anticipation about the show. Anything Goes is one of Cole Porter's finest toe-tapping musicals, packed full of hilarious comedy, wonderful songs and dazzling dance routines."
 
Express & Echo - April 17, 2009, It's great to have Dolly back again
 
A GOOD love story is always hard to resist and they don't come much better than Hello Dolly, one of the greatest musicals of all time.
Staging their own version of the classic tale is Exeter Amateur Operatic Society, whose annual concerts at Exeter Northcott are always eagerly anticipated.The opening night is on Monday, April 20, and the show runs until Saturday, April 25.
The society last performed Hello Dolly about 14 years ago and have decided to do it again because audiences enjoy it so much.
Secretary Ruth Smith, 41, from St James, who is also in the show, said: "It's a nice tender love story with a very big cast of 24 women and 14 men. Vocally it sounds absolutely brilliant. It's got some lovely big chorus numbers like The Waiters Gallop, which is impressive. The costumes we have hired from Flame Costumes in Torquay are great. Everyone has got four to five costumes each from day wear to evening wear. I play Ernestina, a cameo part. She is loud, brassy and wears canary yellow so you won't be able to miss me at all!"
Hello Dolly, based on the book by Michael Stewart, is set in New York City at the beginning of the 20th century, and there is much excitement among the socialites as Dolly Levi, the renowned, widowed, matchmaker is in town with her mind set on some meddling.
Her mischievous ways lead her to Yonkers, where she persuades the wealthy Horace Vandergelder to come back to New York to meet a prospective wife. Vandergelder's eager assistants, Cornelius and Barnaby, are also keen to find love and follow him to New York. Confusion and chaos abound in this fun, farcical, musical for all the family.
The lead character of Dolly Levi is played by Penny Daw, and Horace Vandergelder by Wally Cotgrave. The society has about 60 members ranging in age from 16 to 70. Everyone gives up their time for free to produce high-quality musicals each year at Exeter Northcott, usually in April, and a concert in November at the Barnfield Theatre.