Wimborne Musical Theatre Society 
The Minster Theatre, Allendale Centre, Wimborne
Chelsea Sherry 
15 November 2025
Wimborne Musical Theatre Society’s latest concert-style production, Heroes and Villains, took to the stage at the Allendale Community Centre this week, bringing a wide mix of musical theatre numbers together under one umbrella theme.
One of the strongest elements of the afternoon was undoubtedly the children. They were marvellous and lifted every scene they were part of. Numbers such as ‘Bad Guys’ and ‘Revolting’ were particular highlights, with slick choreography executed confidently and enthusiastically. Their presence genuinely breathed life into the show and created some of the most engaging moments of the performance.
The costumes also deserve a mention. They were distinctive, era-appropriate and thoughtfully chosen. In a concert-style format where audiences don’t necessarily have a programme to guide them, having clear visual cues makes all the difference, and in this case the costume choices helped situate each number effectively, supporting the musical shifts throughout.
There were several strong individual performances across the cast. Jemma Cable committed fully to every song she performed, bringing real presence and confidence to the stage. Alan Colclough was mesmerising in his Jekyll and Hyde number, one of the standout performances of the show, delivered with real intensity. Lauren Ferger-Andrews offered a beautifully emotional rendition of ‘On My Own’, connecting well with the audience and creating a heartfelt moment. And Duncan Trew brought great personality to ‘You’ll Be Back’, encouraging some audience involvement which helped to lift the atmosphere and inject a welcome bit of playfulness.
While the theme of Heroes and Villains is full of potential, it didn’t always come across clearly during the performance. Those who purchased a programme may have had a stronger sense of the overarching concept, but for audience members without one, the connection between numbers wasn’t always apparent. At times, the production felt more like a general musical theatre concert rather than a themed show, which was a shame given how strong the idea could have been if carried through more consistently.
There were also noticeable sound issues, particularly in the first act. Several microphones did not appear to be active, meaning that beyond the first few rows, some performers could barely be heard. In one case, the audience was left listening primarily to the backing track.
Energy-wise, the second act was notably stronger than the first, suggesting that nerves or early-show tension may have played a role. That said, overall performance energy could have benefitted from being a notch higher throughout. Audiences are naturally drawn to performers who look confident, engaged and as though they’re genuinely enjoying themselves; when this isn’t consistent across the ensemble, it becomes noticeable.
Overall, Heroes and Villains offered some genuinely enjoyable moments and showcased a range of talent. It was clear that a great deal of time and effort had gone into bringing the production to the stage.
A big thank you to the entire cast and creative team for the afternoon’s entertainment, and I wish them all the very best with their upcoming production of Shrek the Musical at the Tivoli Theatre next year.
