AN A CAPPELLA group has taken on its biggest challenge yet in reviving some under-loved songs that were cut from Seussical: The Musical before ever making it to Broadway.
Choir master Oliver Squibb is finally fulfilling a five-year dream of having Winchester A Cappella perform songs inspired by Dr Seuss' The Lorax.
The group of 37 women, ranging from 24 to 78 years old, will be bringing the tale to life with handmade puppets, choreography and singing at the Theatre Royal on Saturday, October 21.
Choir master Ollie said: “Winchester A Cappella is fabulous and they are all willing to take risks. Before I took the job here I knew I wanted to do the Lorax, it’s taken years to get the rights. We’ll be some of the first people to ever perform the songs.
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“We were looking for something to do so it seemed perfect for this year. The Theatre Royal has been brilliant and I’m really looking forward to bringing the community into what we do.
“The message of the Lorax is even more relevant now than when it was written and I love the challenge of putting musical theatre against a cappella.”
Member Kate Downer joined around six years ago through a learn-to-sing course.
Kate, 28, said: “I’ve always sung and been a singer. Not only is the atmosphere really good here but when I have had a hard day at work sometimes the last thing I want to do is go to choir but it always ends up making me feel better. It’s the lighter point of my week.
“We’re a community choir but I don’t know many choirs who would be able to do what we do.
“I’m really excited about the Theatre Royal. For a long time, we’ve really tried to be in the heart of Winchester. We’ve previously been secondary to other entertainers at other events but this gives us a platform to show what we have got.
“There really isn’t anything that will have both the maturity and the silliness of this concert.”
Fellow member Tracy Spring, 63, said: “I’m really looking forward to performing at the Theatre Royal, it’s going to be a great night out.
“I love the repertoire and high standards and really like the way Oli directs.”
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Although everybody has to audition for Winchester A Cappella, the choir has a mix of experience including members who only ever sung at school before joining.
As well as reviving The Lorax songs, the chorus will be bringing harmonies from films like The Greatest Showman and The Little Mermaid and other popular hits such as Somebody to Love, What A Wonderful World and Human.
‘Wacappella’ starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 21 at the Theatre Royal in Jewry Street.
Winchester A Cappella will share the stage with dancers from Winchester’s street dance school, Integr8 Dance, and Clarion player Alessandro Vazzana.
Tickets cost £15. To book go to theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/wacappella or call 01962 840 440.
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