Successful Methodist production

Congratulations to all involved in the 2013 Methodist Church production which ran last week from Tuesday until Saturday evening. For those that missed it, this was AudlemOnline's review of the show after the first night:

The Story So Far

It's a very different show this year as the musical reviews 150 years of Methodism in Audlem. As well as the church's construction, 1863 also saw the arrival of the Nantwich to Market Drayton railway and although the production failed to say if the pioneering Methodists were amongst the first to arrive in Audlem by train, 'The Story So Far' is a fascinating and thoroughly entertaining trip down Memory Lane.

Engaging

Directed by Daniel Keen and Nancy-May Goodwin, this is a slick, engaging and informative show that was clearly enjoyed by all. With Daniel Keen playing a long succession of Methodist Ministers suberbly, and providing the narrative over the church's 150 years, the young cast dances, sings and acts its way throughout as the historic scenes unfold.

All seemed to hold their first-night nerves together confidently and delivered their lines perfectly – and a special mention must be made of the two very young church mice who charmed the audience through several scenes.

Homecoming

Researched by Jean Gunstone, and written by her and Val Warner, notable scenes featured the 1918 Homecoming after the so-called Great War, where Daniel Keen's rendition of The Last Post as the names of those locally who died in both World Wars were scrolled on screen brought home the horrors of war to our community and tears to many an eye.

The railway, which ran through Audlem for exactly one hundred years, was featured beautifully with detailed film footage of model railways as well as nostalgic shots of Audlem station and local Halts as the famous Flanders and Swann's 'Slow Train' played. The song was written in 1963 and famously mentions Audlem, as it laments the loss of British stations and railway lines at that time due to the Beeching cuts, and also the passing of a way of life.

The Hunger Marches, pigeon fanciers, Christmas carols and traditions and a pesky church boiler that had threatened to blow for many years, and eventually did, all get a look in in this brilliantly told tale of a church at the heart of its rural community.

Videos

A special mention must be made of the videos. The images themselves were very well chosen throughout and edited by John Owen – the computerised quip as Apple pushed Microsoft to one side was appreciated by all those that care about such things!

Naomi and Tobias Newman wrote the music and lyrics – with a little help from Handel with The Messiah – and saw the thirty-strong chorus in great form throughout the show. We understand Naomi may well be called away at any minute for maternal rather than musical duties and wish her well.

You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them and see more on the Audlem Methodist website by clicking here.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.