Eyebrow Productions

Gail Porter, host of the evening, was a star. Not only has she been supportive of the project for a long time now, but she introduced the show brilliantly and with humour, congratulating all those involved for their hard work.

From the moment Jenny Bede came on as Charity you knew why she'd been cast. Leading the show, Jenny, who was in every single scene, displayed endless talent - she has a beautiful voice with a large range, and her velvety vocals never seemed strained or tired (despite the intense rehearsal period of the last 48 hours). She filled the stage with her presence and created a loveable Charity who you really cared about.

However, despite Jenny's excellent performance, this was very much a group effort. Every single one of the 130 people in the cast was essential and exceptional. 'Big Spender' was fantastic and showcased some excellent choreography. With the lights on and all the hostesses dressed in their 60s glittering costumes, it looked and sounded amazing and the Fandango Ballroom girls, each with their own personalities, oozed sexy cynicism against Charity's naive optimism.

'Rich Man's Frug' gave the dancers another opportunity to show off their abilities, and Jenny Bede shone in 'If My Friends Could See Me Now'.

After the interval, the raffle was drawn on stage by Gail Porter, daughter Honey, and actress Kara Tointon. It was a rather amusing display, (slightly shambolic, but Gail and Kara had great repartee) and Gail took the opportunity to thank everyone for attending and to congratulate the performers on the excellent show so far.

ct Two began with Charity and Oscar visiting the Rhythm of Life Church. It may have been mentioned one or two thousand times on this blog before, but the 'Rhythm Of Life' is - and most definitely was on the night - amazing! Peter Navickas as Daddy and James Parkes, Steven Shapland and Tom Guest as his assistants brought energy, humour and downright cool to the stage, and once the ensemble joined, the number was hair-on-end brilliant.

And as the show neared the end, 'I Love to Cry At Weddings', led by the ever so sleazy, yet endearing Herman (played wonderfully by Alan Richardson) brought together the fabulous Fandango girls again and was a great, stage-filling number. And right up until the curtain call, Jenny Bede transfixed and entertained the audience as the ever-hopeful Charity - she really did put in a fantastic performance and held the show together like a seasoned professional.

or such a show to have been rehearsed in just 48 hours seems unreal, and credit must be given to the director, John Sheerman, and the ADs Kate Buxton and Robin Norton-Hale for being able to bring together 130 people on stage in such a professional and successful way, and for the smooth-running and military precision of the direction and rehearsal over the 48 hour period. It was an amazing event that has raised nearly £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Writetime Contact Advertising