ON Saturday, the Lochgelly Centre was packed out as Lochgelly Musical Association (LADAMA) and Lochgelly Brass Band combined to present “Broadway and Brass”, a stunning evening of show tunes writes our Theatre Critic Kerry Black.

Under the expert musical direction of Alan Gibson (LADAMA) and Paul McKelvie OBE (Band), plus choreography by Yvonne Tait, this show had something to please everyone!

Opening appropriately with “Another Openin’, Another Show” from Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me Kate”, blending the talents of both groups, the evening swung through almost a century of musical classics from 1927’s “Showboat”, through Disney, Abba and the MGM Musicals! Whether it was just the band showcasing medleys such as “The World’s Greatest Storyteller” - a tribute to Roald Dahl, or just the musical performing to backing tracks, or everyone united, this was an unforgettable evening.

While all the men wore black suits or dinner suits, the ladies sparkled in black eveningwear, as a projector displayed the titles of the shows the tunes were taken from.

Specific highlights for me included the duet of “You’re My World/All I See Is You” with the amazing Laura Campbell and Rebecca Gorman and “Bui Doi” from Miss Saigon, with great vocal harmonies and the outstanding voice of Adam Campbell.

It was fabulous to see Andrew Gardiner rocking “Colour My World” from “Priscilla” and Amii Stewart’s tender performance of “Send In The Clowns”, featuring a ballet by Sammi Tait.

An evening like this offers the chance for chorus members to shine and I was particularly impressed by Karen Kippen’s “Hello Young Lovers” and the Hairspray medley from some of the youngest members.

The band had some incredible features players too, including fabulous percussionists and three of the most butch “Nuns” ever, playing “I Will Follow Him” from “Sister Act”!

The first half ended with a God theme, moving from “Why God Why?, to “The Student Prince” classic, “I’ll Walk With God” and culminating in the ensemble performing “Climb Every Mountain” from “The Sound of Music”.

The second half took us from “Phantom”, through “Wicked” to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, with the finale number being the spine tingling “Do You Hear The People Sing?” from Les Mis.

Every show requires an encore and Carousel’s mighty anthem , “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, resulted in a well deserved standing ovation from the entire audience.

I have honestly never seen a more enthusiastic crowd in the Lochgelly Centre-what a night!

If this has encouraged you to see more shows, Lochgelly Band will be presenting an Oktoberfest in Lochgelly Town Hall on October 28, LADAMA are ready to start rehearsing “The Wizard of Oz” and Lochgelly Youth will be doing “”Hairspray” in The Centre on September 28 and 29!