CHESTER THEATRE COMPANY THANKS "TIP TOP" SUPPORTERS FOLLOWING SHOW SUCCESS

A Chester-based theatre company has thanked its supporters for helping to make its first show in seven months an overwhelming success.

Tip Top Productions, resident theatre company at The Forum Studio Theatre in Chester made history recently when they were invited to stage a concert as part of Welsh Assembly sponsored trials of outdoor performances at Theatr Clwyd which will help to shape guidance for the safe return of live performances at theatres and other venues in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Directed for Tip Top productions by Phil Cross with Musical Direction by Simon Phillips, the show entitled "Musical Magic" featured popular songs from West End and Broadway musicals old and new including Hello Dolly, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Shrek, Spamalot, Mary Poppins, Funny Girl and Wicked. With an initial one-off performance quickly selling out, the company were delighted to be invited by Theatr Clwyd to also stage a matinee performance which also sold out. The show which was awarded 5 Stars in a review by arts blog We Are Chester, was one of series of events staged at Theatr Clwyd's socially distanced outdoor performance space which was set up specifically for the Assembly sponsored series of trial performances. 

Speaking about being back on stage for the first time in 7 months, the show's director Phil Cross said "Our Musical Magic shows at Theatr Clwyd were a welcome return to the live stage after a 7 month break, we've had so many lovely messages from our members and audience members thanking us for a magical evening and we would like to thank everyone for their support. It felt fantastic to be live onstage again and we hope that this is the pathway for things getting back to 'a bit more normal'."

Audience member and arts writer Paul Crofts of We Are Chester said "Tip Top have such a great reputation for staging first class shows and they certainly delivered with "Musical Magic". It was wonderful to actually see a live performance again after so many months, a much-needed escape from the current reality and a reminder, as if one were needed, of just how important live music and theatre are to so many people, be it on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience, well done to all concerned."  

Paul added "The team at Theatr Clwyd are to also be congratulated, they did an amazing job in setting out a socially distanced outdoor space with lots of measures in place to make the audience feel as safe as possible from the moment we arrived. Nothing was too much trouble for them and I take my hat off to the hard-working staff for whom the last 6 months must have been particularly worrying. I hope it won't be too long before all our fantastic local venues including Theatr Clwyd, The Forum Studio Theatre, Storyhouse and Chester Little Theatre can open up fully again, they will certainly need our support more than ever before."

With social distancing guidelines currently preventing Tip Top Productions from staging shows at The Forum Studio Theatre, their innovative "Lockdown Season" continues with upcoming Zoom events including its popular Open Mic Night on Tuesday 13th October at 7.30pm. Open to all those who love performing, whether it be singing, comedy or poetry, the event will provide an opportunity to appear in front of a live virtual audience. Tip Top are also staging a Halloween Party via Zoom on Saturday 31st October. Speaking about the online Halloween event, Phil Cross Said " We are so excited for this event, we may not be able to trick or treat, we may not be able to gather in people’s houses for parties, there will most certainly be no bobbing for apples BUT there will be prizes for the best Halloween costume and most impressive pumpkin carving. Our online Halloween party for promises to be fantastic fun for all for family!"

To register to take part in Tip Top Productions online events email lockdown@tiptopproductions.co.uk. Full details  the "Lockdown Season" can be found at www.chestertheatre.co.uk

Pictured - The cast of Musical Magic (L-R) Annie Howarth, Rhian & Rob Lyon, Natalie Brett, Ashley Sollars & Josie McHugh, Phil Cross. (photo credit Mark Carline).