Director: Keith Armitage. Musical Director: Enid Jones
"Meet me in St Louis, Louis, Meet me at the Fair,
Don't tell the sun is shining Any place but there........"
The words of this famous song are ringing around Seaham at the moment as Vane Tempest Theatre Group are presenting the stage version of the famous film all this week at the Vane Tempest Social Welfare Centre, New Drive, Seaham.
This is truly a family show as the story centres around a year in the life of the Smith family in the build up to the St Louis World's Fair in 1904. There are eight altogether in the family from Grandpa Prophater down to Tootie Smith, the youngest and most precocious daughter, all watched over by Katie, the Irish housekeeper.
Love interests abound as Esther Smith (the character played by Judy Garland in the film) falls for John Truitt, the boy next door and Rose Smith has her sights set on millionaire's son, Warren Sheffield.
Father's promotion to New York threatens the harmony of the family but all is resolved by the end of the show. The famous songs in the musical include 'The Boy Next Door', 'Clang, clang clang went the trolley', 'Have yourself a merry little Christmas' and of course 'Meet me in St Louis'. It is the first time this show has been performed in the area and gives the wealth of young talent, of which Seaham is proud, a chance to shine in a heart-warming and entertaining setting.
