WHAT type of films are you into? Oh and are you partial to a bit of music?

All tastes were catered for during A Night at the Movies, performed by Hexham Amateur Stage Society at the Queen’s Hall in Hexham.

From Disney and Bond to Broadway, the cast of almost 40 singers offered a celebration of movie songs from past and present.

In her programme message, stage society president Shirley Jowett said that to “present a concert such as this requires a great deal of hard work.”

That was clear to see for the packed Queen’s Hall audiences, from May 11 to 14, who clapped, swayed and joined in the chorus throughout.

But vital to the months of rehearsals was the vast array of talent on show, with stunning vocals and challenging dance routines carried out with aplomb.

Disney lovers were wooed from the very beginning, with songs from Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

After the first part of a spoken history of the movie scene was delivered by compere Richard Dodd, Elva Mason melted a few hearts with a moving solo performance of Wind Beneath My Wings.

Another heartfelt number was to follow, as trio Gillian Hall, Judith Elliott, and Jannette Griffin gave a tender performance of The Rose by Bette Midler.

With a perfect night sky as a backdrop, Mike Routledge received rapturous applause for his rendition of the classic Moon River, from Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

There was something of a 1930s and 1940s revival, with Cheek to Cheek from the American favourite Top Hat, performed by Fiona Watson and As Time Goes By, from Casablanca, by Beryl Amos.

The night was in full swing by the time Liam Olsen teamed up with chorus singers for his epic solo of Somebody to Love from Happy Feet.

Liam was a real star turn throughout, turning his hand to a range of challenging numbers, including Smile from Modern Times.

If there was a perfect example of cast interaction on stage, it was Gee Officer Krupke from West Side Story, by the male chorus, a combination of acting and singing which saw compere Dodd thrust into the limelight as the studious officer.

The female chorus was every bit as impressive, with a Sister Act medley among many highlights.

Other performances of note included The Lion King and Take That’s Rule The World – both collective efforts from a cast of sopranos, altos and tenors.

Amanda Yates and Garfield Nairn brought both cabaret and James Bond, respectively, to the stage, on a night where Diamonds really were forever.

The cast was supported by a wonderful orchestra of piano, drums and bass, played with distinction by Warren Smith, Robert Laws, Mark Bolderson and Mike Cunningham.

There are far too many fine names to mention, but all the cast and production team members put on a memorable performance, with fans now eagerly awaiting the stage society’s next performance, Fiddler on the Roof, in November.

Joseph Tulip