The annual Kentwood Showcase came to the Wyvern theatre at the weekend to a packed theatre.

As always, the band, under the direction of MD Paul Maguire, were excellent, although I did feel at the beginning that the band and choir weren’t always in sync. That I think is a first for Kentwood and it didn’t last long with Sheila’s excellent conducting to bring it all together.

From then on the sounds reverberating around the theatre from band and choir were second to none, with powerful ballads soaring to the rafters and the up tempo numbers having a toe-tapping effect on the audience. The wonderful jazz section in tribute to Sheila’s husband, Chris, who sadly passed away last year, was very poignant.

These ladies, gents and young people have voices that have a wonderful tone no matter what age. Solos, duets and ensembles were sung effortlessly with not a wrong note or pitch in site.

If I had to pick a favourite solo it would be the soliloquy from the musical Robert and Elizabeth, sung stunningly well by Lauren Durrant. The cheers from the audience showed they probably concurred.

There were some newbies to Kentwood in the audience. They were quite astonished at the quality of singing, band, lighting and sound of this once again excellent evening with Sheila Harrod, her band and Show Choir.

Ros Hollands