BACK in May I was privileged to review TOPS on Stage's stunning production of the 'new' musical Calendar Girls.

It was challenging piece penned by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth but TOPS Smashed it out of the park. At its conclusion, in my review, I wrote "it seems churlish to pick out individuals from the Calendar Girls troupe, but that is the job of a reviewer".

This evening - I have to be churlish.

It would be grossly unfair to single anyone out of the ensemble cast of 12 who play more than 50 parts between them, backed by a magnificent and enthusiastic group of eight musicians.

This simply is a show with no stars, but is the sum of all its parts.

And that sum must include the lighting and sound crews - and of course its director Luke Coldham and musical director Clare Benson.

If there has to be a 'special mention', though I sure everyone will have their favourites, my pick is Lianne Alton, the productions choreographer - who hasn't just trained the troop of 12 to be in the right places but someone who has worked a piece of magic to make a set of 12 chairs an integral, ever-changing but always meticulously placed set of props that really as a genuine part of the production, shaping the setting of the songs and dialogue on a rather marvellous revolving floor.

It's the first time the Thameside has had one installed, and given the timescale for rehearsal on it, the ensemble's performance and ability on it was simply breathtaking.

advertisement

 Come From Away is based on the extraordinary true story around the landing of 7,000 people on the small Newfoundland community of Gander in the wake of the New York World Trade Centre terrorist skies that closed North American airspace for several days.

The fact that 9/11 provides the backdrop for the production may seem a little off-putting.

Could anyone possibly make light of such a momentous and tragic event? Well Irene Sankoff and David Hein who created the book, music and lyrics certainly have. And Luke Coldham has done their work proud.

The Broadway and West End productions last more than two hours.

The amateur version, with TOPS given the honour of being one of the first such companies to stage it, is shorter at and hour and 40 minutes - without an interval.

Which only highlights the fantastic sense of pace and propulsion as the story unfolds. The show and its music take us through a rollercoaster of emotions in what is, for the most part, a truly joyful ensemble piece. As might be expected, it is dotted with moments of heartache and concern, but humour and compassion which make up the human spirit are never far away.

The story is fluent, seamless and for the audience who stood and applauded and screamed approval at the end, it was perfection. There was the odd technical light and sound glitch – only to be expected in something as fluid and compressed as this production - and it was first night.

But it mattered not a jot.

advertisement

Before the show asked Luke Coldham if he was nervous and what were his expectations. With the confidence of a man who has become a master of his craft he said he wasn't – and added 'We've raised the bar to a new level.'

He was not wrong. I've enjoyed a succession of wonderful shows from TOPS and its near sister company Thurrock Courts Players over recent years.

With just the one exception over more than two decades I have witnessed some truly wonderful performances from both companies.

 But none better than this – though many were different and wonderful in their own way.

Next week Courts are back on stage with their version of Agatha' Christie's 'A Murder is Announced'. They too were innovative and musical in their last production Little Voice. Now they tread more familiar AmDram territory.

So too will TOPS in their next production in June next year when they bring back the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, surprisingly a show that hasn't previously featured in its 25-year catalogue of productions.

I can't imagine anything further away from what I witnessed tonight, but that's the beauty of musical theatre – it comes in many guises, and I am sure that TOPS will be taking my breath away once again.

I said I wouldn't single out the cast, so I won't but they deserve recognition.

Here there are in name only, but every name didn't tell just one story, they told dozens. Simply stunning and congratulations to all concerned – which also includes the stage support team and the house staff. In true Thameside community tradition everyone joined in, with all the team dressed as air hostesses.

Cast: Hollie Davy, Samantha Lewin, Louise Hatchard-Dougherty, Angela Phillips, Lauren Ghost, Lauren Jones, Michael Southgate, Joe Drury, Chris Foale, Sam Knight, Ian Benson, Billy Knowles. Musicians: Rob Downing, Alex Brangwyn, Ashley Blasse, James Green, Glenn Mead, Rebecca Kantor, Ben Summers and Clare Benson. Tech team and back of house: A group of talented and wonderful people!

Long may the spirt of theatre and entertainment continue at this precious venue. 

There are still tickets available. Don't miss out. Book here.