The show must go on for Phoenix

A theatre group got together online to record an uplifting song to mark what should have been their show week.

Johnstone Phoenix Theatre were due to stage their spring show, Ghost The Musical in the town hall late last month.

They were deep into rehearsals when the lockdown forced them to cancel and reschedule for 2021.

But instead of feeling down, they decided to get together and record Raise You Up from the stage musical Kinky Boots.

The individual videos and song parts were all edited together by members Kirsten MacDonald and Robyn E Crawford and the video has been viewed more than 4,000 times since it was uploaded to their Facebook page a few days ago.

Member Daniel McDonald said: “Kirsten and Robyn wanted to do something because we’re missing everybody and missing show week.

“We hoped it would cheer us up and cheer up anyone who watches it.

“The song was our big finale from our panto last year, Alice in Pantoland so we all knew it really well and remembered the harmonies.

“We all recorded our videos and sent them to the girls and they put it all together. It was really fun to do, we all had solo lines.”

The video has been put on the Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Group Facebook page and Daniel said they’ve had lots of positive comments.

“Everyone has been really nice, we’ve had a lot of messages from people saying it’s been nice to see us.

“We just wanted to cheer people up and let them know we’re still here and going strong even though things are different.”

Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Group has an adult and youth section and rehearses in the town hall.

The club was formed as Johnstone Operatic and Dramatic Society back in 1963 but, by the early 1970s, a lack of financial support led the cast to stage a series of hugely-successful benefit concerts.

The group was rebranded Johnstone Phoenix in 1972 in recognition of its rise from the ashes.

I t norma l l y stages two performances a year – a spring show and a pantomime.

All members have their fingers crossed they’ll still be able to rehearse and perform this year’s panto – Jack and the Beanstalk.

To view the uplifting video, go to www.facebook.com/JPTG63/

We just wanted to cheer people up and let them know we’re still here