UK Theatre Network

West End to Waterside

In a unique charity extravaganza on 1st October, the new Waterside Theatre presented an evening of top-class musical theatre, at the second fund-raising event for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, prior to the official Gala opening on 12th October.

Stars from the West End entertained the packed theatre to a wonderfully varied programme of sing-along songs from some of our favourite shows. Three top West End performers, Mike Sterling, Jo Gibb and Craig Price certainly gave the audience a night to remember!

The show was produced by Aylesbury based Musical Director, John Bannister, whose MD work has included Walking on Sunshine, Buddy Holly Story national tour and Cinderella at Watford Palace Theatre.  After the opening number, John instigated some fun audience participation with a vocal warm-up.  This went on a bit too long though, as some members of the audience began to get very restless and just wanted to sit back and be entertained!


Internationally acclaimed actor, singer and recording artiste, Mike Sterling, has 25 years of experience with many TV credits.  He played The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables both in the West End.  One of the highlights at the Waterside was his wonderfully moving rendition of Bring Him Home on the 25th anniversary of the hit show.

Jo Gibb from Berkamstead recently played Belle in the national tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  West End credits include Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chicago, Cats and Starlight Express.

Craig Price from Bletchley recently completed a run of Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre.   He has played Enjolras in Les Miserables and Jesus of Nazareth in Jesus Christ Superstar.  Another highlight at the Waterside was his spine-tingling interpretation of Gethsemene, when you could have heard a pin drop as he reached the top notes!

There were some memorable duets with Craig and Jo singing the beautiful Never Been Loved Before and the hilarious A song That Goes Like This from Spamalot.  Then Craig’s wife joined Jo to sing I Know Him so Well from Chess.  Unfortunately there seemed to be a little imbalance in the sound system for that song, but they both sang it beautifully.  Mike and Craig made a great ‘Rat Pack’ team with an engaging version of Me and My Shadow.

John’s solo performance of Great Balls of Fire was amazingly energetic and fun.

This delightful evening was ably supported by an ensemble of musical theatre students from Tring Park School for Performing Arts.

The Waterside Theatre will be officially opened by Cilla Black on Tuesday 12th October with a Gala launch party, when  Northern Ballet will be staging the exquisite Swan Lake.  To buy tickets call Aylesbury Theatre Box Office on 0844 871 7607 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/aylesbury.

West End to Waterside was a fundraiser for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity www.fnhospice.org.uk.

 Yvonne Delahaye