Encore Youth Theatre bring their latest production “Curtains” a musical Play by Rupert Holmes. To the Theatre Royal stage in Winchester. Set in Boston on the opening night in 1959 of a play apparently destined for Broadway. If it were a film it would be destined for the cutting room floor. The play’s production not Encore’s.
Jessica Cranshaw (Eldpeth Scott) a Hollywood star is murdered on the opening night of the play. Leaving everyone in the Theatre that night on the suspect list. The storyline follows Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (Wolfie Jones) the detective assigned to the case to solve the case before too many other bodies mount up and add more mystery to the murder case.
Who could be responsible for the murder. Could it be the charismatic and flamboyant Director Christopher Belling (Rafi Francis), the disliked Theatre critic Daryl Grady (James McQuat) who in my opinion gets a very tough time by the others, after all he is only reviewing what they have staged.
Or could it have been one of The Producers Carmen Bernstein (Emily Townley) and Sidney Bernstein (Fergus Robertson) had a reason to murder her or The General Manager Oscar Sharpiro (Tom Treseder-Griffin) as the story unfolds anyone could have had a motive but who has the conviction to see it through!
There is a bitter tension between the highly strung actress Bambi Bernét (Mary McConnachie) and her mother. We only discover the two are related as the storyline develops. Sorry, no spoiler alerts from me if you aren’t familiar with the storyline.
Choreographer Ellie Hanson uses the limited space available on the stage perfectly for the larger ensemble dance routines. Along with director Noël Jones and musical director Hannah Castleman who organise the larger cast very well, with that many actors on stage at once it could easily become chaotic. However, each cast member knows their role and position and never appears to falter.
A special mention has to go out to Jamie Payne in the role of Johnny Harmon the Stage Manager at the ill-fated Boston Theatre. Payne has a strong stage presence and throughout the performance remained in character while on stage. His facial expressions and body language spoke as clearly as his lines. An absolute delight to watch and one who has a future on stage if he chooses to continue acting.
The performance is accompanied throughout by an orchestra in the pit in front of the stage, there is no prerecorded music in this production.
When all the news appears to report is funding cuts and some Theatre’s struggling to stay open and closures taking place. Watching Youth Theatre groups like Encore you can see the passion and professionalism within the future actors of tomorrow. With the packed houses in theatres across the world and large audience numbers every night it doesn’t make any sense why the Arts is often the first to be cut. We need to get behind these groups and support them. The talent and passion in Encore alone are worth supporting.
For more information about Curtains and Encore Youth Theatre and Winchester Theatre Royal please use the links below.
Three and a half Stars.
Photo credit Sam Gavins.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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