A dazzling display of talent was on show at Treorchy RAFA Club on Wednesday 29^th September 2004 when Treorchy WI Performing Art’s Group thrilled a packed audience with a concert - their annual contribution to “Wings Week.” 

The show billed as “Simply the Best” was a selection of old favourites and new items from popular musicals.

With Enid Roberts as compére, the show opened to a Karaoke medley from Ursula, Judith, Maude, Eira, Pat, Sheila, Kath Evans, Kath Davies and Ann Phillips. 

The second item, a solo from Kath Davies, ‘Can’t you Feel the Love Tonight’ from the Lion King, was followed by Sheila Ellis and Beth Roberts who gave a touch of the ridiculous and sublime to their interpretation of  ‘The Grass is Always Greener’.

Next, the WI tap dancers took the audience back to the days of silent movies with a Charlie Chaplain tap dance routine performed by Enid, Diane, Pat, Milwyn, Anne and Anna.

Ann Phillips had the audience in stitches with her ‘Ello Mudder’ number and Chris, Beth and Diane delighted everyone with ‘The Triplets Song’ by the Beverly Sisters.

Angela sang ‘Jolene’ whilst accompanying herself on the guitar and the first half of the show concluded with a compilation of Abba hits from the 70’s performed by Kerris, Milwyn, Chris, Eira Maude, Judith Kath Evans and Kath Davies.

During the interval, Bingo and a raffle took place.

The second half opened with all the glamour of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ when Dancers Kerris, Sheila, Beth, Margaret, Chris and Pat gave a splendid performance to the tune, “Dream of You.”

Another solo by Kath Davies was followed by a routine from Chicago with Anne, Kerris, Ursula, Margaret, Chris and Pat.

After the hall had been plunged into darkness, Beth Roberts - bearing an illuminated candelabra - made her way to the stage.  No, there hadn’t been a power cut it was the lighting effect for the famous duet from Phantom of the Opera.  The applause that followed indicated an exceptional performance by both Beth and Sheila.

The tap dancers, Enid, Diane, Pat, Milwyn, Margaret Anne and Anna, returned and showed off their nifty footwork to the tune ‘Tap your Troubles Away’.

Angela gave her second solo this was followed by Treorchy’s answer to the one and only “Tina Turner.”  Milwyn Pearce a dead ringer for Tina gave a brilliant performance of ‘Simply the Best.’

Judith, Maude and Kath Davies were next; they led the audience in an old fashioned singsong.

The full cast took to the stage for the finale with a chorus of  “The Best of Times”

The show was Directed by Pauline Worman, Compere Enid Roberts, Musical Technician John Hincott, Music Margaret Wilkins, Choreography Ann Thomas and Costumes Anna Brown.

Mrs Valerie Wood, Secretary of the R.A.F.A Club gave a vote of thanks to Mrs Pauline Worman, Mr John Hincott and all the members of the Performing Arts Group.  All proceeds of the evening go to the R.A.F.A. Benevolent Fund.

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On Wednesday 26^th November 2003, Treorchy W.I. Performing Arts Group were once again in the spotlight when they entertained the public at the R.A.F.A. Club in Treorchy.

The show, compéred by Enid Roberts, kicked off with a compilation of songs from various artists and followed by a dance routine from Emma Port and Sian, members of  ‘Foot Loose Dancers Group’ Porth. 

Next on the programme came the ear shattering tones of Yma Sumak, interpreted by Pat Wright and suffered by a very funny Mel Parker.  

Beth Roberts added glamour and sophistication to the evening with her rendition of  ‘The Laughing Song’ from De Fladermouse.  The first half ended with two cleaning ladies, Ursula Slocomb and Sheila Ellis, mopping up to the strains of ‘The Stripper’.

After an interval of Bingo and a raffle, ‘The Hill Billy Band’ accompanied the W.I. Tapers, the W.I. Line Dancers and Ursula Slocomb as Treorchy W.I.’s answer to Dolly Pardon.  

A dance routine from Grease by ‘Foot Loose Group’ was followed by a duet, from Meirion John and Dennis Stallard, entitled ‘Master of The House’ from Les Miserables. 

Finally, the evening was brought to a close with Ann Thomas heading three scenes from Chicago.

The show was directed and produced by Pauline Worman.

Treorchy W.I. Performing Arts Group would like to thank helpers, friends and members of the R.A.F.A.Club ladies section for helping to make the evening a success.

Special thanks to Mr. John Hingott- musical director, Meirion John, Dennis Stallard, Mel Parker, Emma Port and Sian for their valued contribution.

Proceeds were in aid of the R.A.F.A Benevolent Fund.

Members of Treorchy W.I. wish a speedy recovery to  Barbara Webb who was involved in an accident on the way to the performance.

PERFORMING ARTS

Treorchy WI’s Performing Arts Group put on their “Let Us Entertain You” show at the Phoenix Theatre, Ton Pentre on Wednesday, 10th September 2003 at 7:30pm. Tickets costing £3.

Included in the evening’s entertainment were the group whose choreographer is Mrs Emma Port, giving their musical routines as part of the evening performance.

Treorchy WI are happy to include these young people in our show as it enables our audience to share and enjoy their commitment.

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REVIEW

On 27^th March 2003, at the Phoenix Theatre in Ton Pentre, the Treorchy Women’s Institute Performing Arts Group hit the stage with their Spectacular Programme of Entertainment -

featuring a compilation of songs ranging from I’m Just a Girl Who Can’t Say No to a hilarious rendering of Carmen Jones.

The dancers performed to Honey Bun and the tap-dancing team gave a splendid demonstration of their expertise to the sound of Little Brown Jug.

and Two Cleaning Ladies provoked added hilarity by working in perfect synchronisation toe the strains of The Stripper.

The programme ended with the Performing Arts Group giving their interpretation of Glen Miller’s Big Band Sound along with various artists of that era – rounding off the evening on a high note with the ever-popular Seventy-Six Trombones.

A remarkable night’s entertainment was enhanced by the Phoenix Theatre’s “state of the art” sound and lighting, installed via a Lottery Grant. Congratulations all round.

TREORCHY WI - VARIETY SHOW

On Tuesday and Wednesday, 9^th and 10^th April 2002, the Performing Arts Group of Treorchy WI put on a variety concert at the Oak Tree Hall, Treorchy - entitled “Let Us Entertain You” - which was produced and directed by our WI President Mrs. Pauline Worman.

The audience was entertained by a variety of acts, beginning with a 1920’s song and dance routine “Dream of You”.

The tap dancers – Ann, Margaret, Enid, Diane, Betty, Milwyn and Pat – gave a very colourful and lively routine with “Bye, Bye, Blackbird”. Kath Davies delighted the audience with her solos, which included “Memory” and “An Affair to Remember”, while Kath Evans amused everyone by reciting monologues including ones that Kath herself has written about “Treorchy” and being a member of the WI.

Dianne John and Ursula Slocombe were brilliant miming to the duet “Doctor, I’m in Trouble”, while Beth Roberts and Sheila Ellis were a bit more sophisticated in their miming duet warning that the “Grass is Always Greener in Someone Else’s Yard”.

June Thomas took the lead in “Big Spender” with Milwyn, Chris, Kerris and Margaret Haskins providing a most unlikely backing.

A hilarious sketch based on Rylestone and District’s WI Calendar Girls, brought the house down with Neville Yoe playing the intrepid photographer and Anna Brown the reassuring person in charge.

Ann Thomas was as always superb in her Al Johnson impersonation, and the show’s “Money, Money, Money” routine with June, Christine, Keris, Milwyn and Averil taking the solo parts, was enjoyed by all, culminating in the finale of our version of the Village People’s YMCA which included Maud Duncan, Ann Phillips, Eira Richards and Kath Evans as the hippy backing, with Betty, Enid, Ursula, Margaret and Ann as the soloists.

Our thanks go to everyone who helped to make the two evenings such a success, both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Our special thanks go to John Hincott who very patiently arranged all our music and to Dennis Stallard, NevilleYeo, Brian Brown and Meirion John for all their help.