|
End
of the first half in Leicester - a review
A second review we have
been sent following the DCUK Leicester
on 19th July 2015 - thanks Andy
And so we find ourselves heading into the Summer break after the last DCUK
show of the first half held at Leicester.
Our venue was the Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium - part of the complex that
used to contain the fabled Saffron Lane Velodrome one of the venues
DCUK used for many years, sadly now its housing! Still many happy
memories for a lot of us I’m sure.
As an instructor for the Comets PE I was looking forward to the Corps taking
part in its first ever DCUK comp - which they were all looking
forward to being part of.
I had explained to them that we would be last but were looking for the
experience and the thoughts of a different judging system and mainly
different judges it was also a great chance to take in the top two
groups in the UK.
I can only thank DCUK were how welcome the Corps was made, the communication
has been excellent and we had the bonus of watching the company
rehearse great for the kids and good for me as I got a chance to
catch up with old friends and watch a very well ran practice-as
always using time wisely in the UK is always the best option and
believe me he Company certainly make full use of the time they have.
My apologies to a couple of groups as I only found out I was still writing
this report when we were setting up for the Comets performance.
So didn’t get to watch Concord other than from back field - they had
however parked next to us and I was amazed to see the numbers
Concord have recruited - to me shows totally why recruiting the
youngsters should be a priority for all. Noticeable also to me was a
lack of nerves from the members they just seemed focused and ready
to go. So my back field
perspective was one of a pretty good sound and competence in the
areas required. The musical choice is entertaining and the audience
response was good so must be doing things right. In terms of the
junior class should be good at finals -from seeing them all its
going to be good friendly competition and they will all be the real
winners.
Comets PE-this is a smaller corps than the majority, with two horn players
out through injuries and a lot of youngsters in.
The aim of the corps is to be focused back on public
performance and experience for the members.
This season so far has seen them compete in BYBA, TYMBA and
now DCUK, as well as over 15 public performances. From
this the community has fully adopted the corps and the recruitment
process has started to kick in.
The issues for the Corps are mainly down to lack of
confidence in their own ability-they have a show they can sell and
they are capable of reaching goals they have not reached before.. At
present stamina, confidence and performance are weak points. From
the DM who is doing a very good job in keeping the Corps in time (as
always members need to watch and listen back) to the Guard that is
performing way beyond their age group and past lack of training -
its a good future. Show wise - first half of show is strong, 2nd
half needs work especially closer.
Stafford Lancers-my sincere apologies didn’t get to watch your show-but i
do know there is lot to go in for the 2nd half so watch out for a
resurgent Lancers in September.
East Coast Elite-I like ECE they have always kept pretty much to their
traditions-they tend to stick to a classical stance in productions
and over the years have done some very good shows, this years again
looks like a good one with lots of scope for improvement 2nd half.
Opening with some real sense of depth which then sees the
Guard take centre stage - good focus point but really felt the Guard
work was not strong enough to accent the musical phrasing at this
time. Good tempo control
in 2nd number which was locked through using effective mood
structures - spoilt a little by wavering horn control across the
field. I found the 3rd
number a bit congested-perhaps the pushing forward of the Guard
member could have been staged back further or the formation of a
closing circle to sell that point. The ballad had some poignant
tones and good clarity-again felt Guard could have really made more
of the static point adding huge moves to fit the musical effects.
Overall the show needs a little more emotional development.
These guys are always strong 2nd half so should be good to
see then.
Beeches-this Corps really fits production to size.
Its a very well written production in all aspects-visual sell
point now works for me. Brass had a few hazy moments during the
performance some balance and clarity issues - percussion work hard
to keep all in a locked reference zone-especially some real nice pit
moments that link well together with battery.
I would still put one person on Guard just to get a relative
score that would allow the production to finish in the correct place
for what is on offer. Some
dirt to clean but nothing to major, hope the corps maintains the
high level of performance for 2nd half should win BYBA finals.
Revolution-The way this group has progressed over the last few years is to
say the least is excellent. High recruitment, solid financial base
and part of their community. This is a well written show as many
have said and fits the members perfectly.
The music and visual books are set at an acceptable standard
which allows the corps to achieve good performance levels from show
to show. The story line is easy to follow and there is some real
quality in personal performance from the members in all sections.
The weak points for me are in some of Guard work which at times
could being more dramatic to fit phrasings etc and a couple of show
point stagings like the battle scene could be staged to take up more
of the arena to give a greater expansive feel.
Overall I really enjoyed this show because the members
obviously do. Overall a
great show which again will be even better 2nd half.
Interval good to catch up with more old friends and take in refreshments.
37th Kingswood-starting well with mood set through voice over and some good
staging-this is followed by some competent musical presence and some
good locked in visual work enhanced by the guard portraying the
story. The pit even
being mainly very young do a good job to back up the on field work
in the opener. I’m not
sure how badly the 37th were affected by the weather after this as
certainly felt the presence was weaker than at Woking-some of
staging seemed weak and causing issues for the young horn line and
found myself distracted by a lot of unclean work in both the guard
work and the visual package, this also seemed to be a case in the
musical book at times. While this caused a weaker overall picture it
was also obvious that the corps are getting the production with far
greater depth-as always I believe that the 37th will clean this
production for the 2nd half with a high degree of proficiency-in
terms of potential it could well take 4th place at finals.
In terms of entertainment this show is a real winner - easy
to get music and easy to read show. Well done 37th on keeping the
traditions strong.
Cadence-Now an open age Corps backed up by constant recruitment through
cadets and junior Corps-Cadence are a solid unit...certainly going
in the right direction with off the field policies and looking good
as they strengthen show wise year to year.
Their show Castaway is now taking on some real strength in
both physical and emotive understanding. I
certainly found myself more drawn into the storyline.
Opening with the use of a single flag and box adorned with
the Fed Ex logo to set the scene for the journey that lies ahead.
From this we had some real presence and strength being shown
through the sections of the corps-did feel that some of guard work
could have accented some of the front line rhythms to give even
greater effect at times also everyone needs to hit set points to
give full readability and reward in the process.
The black flag that is used at the end of the storm sequence
works well as the corps disappear only to be left stranded on the
island. The bari-front
line peace is still a lush spot in the production it has a warm
expressive feel to it a real sale point in the production.
Did feel that the closer as is still lacked the drive from
the rest of the show-stamina still an issue here, still lots to
clean especially guard need to lock in transitions fully can be a
little distracting. In all much more solid and I felt deserving of a
bigger gap on the chasing pack.
The Company-firstly thanks to the corps for taking the time to allow the
Comets to watch your rehearsal and also for taking time to have a
photo with them=very much appreciated by us all involved with the
Comets. It was a
pleasure to watch a very well executed rehearsal, everyone was
locked in and the staff ran the session like clock work-certainly a
credit to the activity-on with the show-to the performance itself
wow this has grown in the time period since Woking-all sections have
certainly tided up and the performance level and understanding has
had the bar raised to a higher level.
I’m still sensing some brass weakness due to the fast paced
drill stamina will sort this 2nd half as will cleaning the dirt
thats left exposed. The story line is great and the show is full on
entertainment. The extra
little nuance’s now appearing just add to the storytelling and are
a joy to watch and listen to. Love
this show its got winner written all over it.
Kidsgrove Scouts-Enjoyed this show far more than Woking as didn’t feel it
had anything to prove to me. Musically this has some great balance
and some real positives in the musical effect area. The theme passed
through the show has become stronger and the members certainly seem
to be fully buying into the product .I still believe there is room
for more visual exposure and depth. Overall didn’t think the
performance was as strong as at Woking seemed a little tired.
What is obvious is how well this product fits the DCA circuit
and with the practice going in and the help the Scouts will be
getting in the USA this should do real well at DCA Finals
.Last time the Scout went to the States they came back with a
much stronger product. Can
they go on and win DCE? I
reckon so-the tweaks to the show and the attitude of this great
corps can take them to the promised land.
And so ends the first half-I’ve had the satisfaction of attending 2 BYBA
shows, 1 TYMBA show and 2 DCUK shows.
I’ve seen some great performances from British,
Irish, Dutch and of course our very welcome friends from the Blue
Devils International Corps. On
top of this I’ve seen the activity still offering what it always
has - a outlet to be part of what we all know is very special.
Finally to the Corps I help teach - the Comets PE - thanks to giving me the
enthusiasm to carry on it really is a pleasure to watch this group
grow each year while maintaining true family values.
Have a great Summer one and all see you all in September
Report by Andy Hulburt
29th July 2015
|
