19th August 2017
True Hearts is a Cabaret evening of music, dance and comedy featuring the True Heroes singers and dancers, and compared by the inimitable Bella Bluebell.
True Heroes are a group of local performers who raise money for charities by staging shows in community venues. Saturday evening's show was part of the Woodlands Hall 50th Anniversary celebrations and was raising money for two local charities based at the Freeman Hospital - Maggie's (which provides help, information and support to cancer sufferers and their families) and CHUF (Children's Heart Unit Fund).
The show kicked off with a modern medley featuring the Black Eyed Peas' "I Got a Feeling", setting the tone for the evening. The True Heroes then rattled through an astonishing number of medleys including Boybands, Ricky Martin, Spice Girls, Bananarama, Madonna, and Madness, then a 70s disco medley before the first Act drew to a close with a tribute song and slideshow to highlight the work done by Maggie's.
Act Two brought us a CeeLo Green combo of Beggin/Forget You, and then Blues Brothers, 80s Divas, Phil Collins, Kylie, and a Steps medley. There were two more touching and poignant tribute songs and slideshows - one at the start of act two featuring images of people linked to the show from the show who had in some way been touched by cancer, and the second slideshow highlighting the work of CHUF.
Highlights of the show for me were the Spice Girls featuring Bella Bluebell as Ginger Spice and Leon Gill as Scary Spice. (Scary had to deal with a major wardrobe malfunction, much to the amusement of the audience.) Bucks Fizz brought a rousing cheer with a rendition of the eurovision favourite "Making Your Mind Up" - including the hand jiving and the skirts! In Act Two the guys came into their own with the Blues Brothers and Phil Collins Medleys, and the Steps Medley and Bridge Over Troubled Water tribute song showed off some great harmonies in the troup.
Bella Bluebell provided comedy ( and a welcome moment for the performers to catch their breath, I should think) with jokes and banter and an array of colourful wigs and sparkly frocks. Am pretty sure she'll be starring in a Panto come December - watch out for her!
All in all it was a good night, lots of fun and enthusiastic performances from all the dancers and singers, and all for a good cause. For me, Act Two was the better half, it felt more relaxed as if the performers were less nervous and enjoying it more. But all in all directors Ali Hassanyeh and Kevin Rhodes pulled together a good mix of crowd pleasing songs, and each performer had an opportunity to shine in both Acts. I was transported back to my legwarmer and fingerless lace mittens days with all those 80s hits. And, of course , no cabaret night would be complete without a Foreigner Finale - don't stop believing!
Woodlands Hall is a great community venue - they have an array of activities throughout the year all organised by volunteers. They've lasted 50 years so far so they must be doing it right. Their next show on 21st Oct is a swinging 60s tribute night featuring The Moonbeats. If you are in, or near Wideopen go along and support this fantastic community resource. Entry is just £8 and the bar is cheap! (drink responsibly, guys!)
Denise Sparrowhawk
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