For yet another year, the Sliema Oratory Salesians Group has put on a great show – two, actually, since they were on 12 and 22 September.

These young people are truly wonderful and each year there is something new and innovative. They work so hard – rehearsing throughout the summer to put on a two-hour, non-stop show – and without spending lots of money too.

This year’s theme, as can be seen from the title, was songs from the 60s. The very simple yet effective stage decor consisted of colourful backdrops and a huge jukebox plus lots of colourful and varied costumes (thanks to the very able ladies, who spent hours painstakingly making each and everyone to measure).

Of course everyone knows that the 60s was one of the best decades, music-wise, and the packed ground (it was held outside because of the still balmy nights) was rocking with so many “oldies” like me – and many, many youngsters – singing and tapping our feet to the music. It’s surprising that, after so many years, many can still remember all the lyrics – unlike today when most of the time (in my case at least) I can hardly understand what they’re ‘singing’ about if you can call it singing, since most of it sounds more like screaming than singing; but then as my dear father used to say: “Gustibus non est disputandum” and that’s all the Latin I know.

Anyway, we had such great numbers like Hit the Road Jack, These Boots are make for Walking, Sweet Caroline, Surfin' USA, Let’s do the Twist, My Girl, Sugar Sugar, Wipeout, Volare, Yesterday, Son of a Preacher Man and so many, many more, all choreographed really well and with so many costume changes. In fact it was two whole hours of non-stop fun and just what the doctor ordered. I don’t think there’s anything better than singing to clear the cobwebs, make you forget all your worries, troubles, pain and whatnot. It’s also great exercise if you put on these sort of songs at home and do a half-hour dancing session. Wobbly tummies would be a thing of the past.

We also had Jungle Book, complete with Baloo, King Louie and Mowgli. This, together with the Mary Poppins’ songs Just a Spoonful of Sugar', Supercalifragilisticespialidocious and Step in Time were enjoyed by everyone, but especially by the many young members of the audience. Truly innovative – or rather, so very effective – was the winch that brought Mary Poppins, complete with umbrella, gliding down from the sky (actually the top of the Junior Club) and a very lively chimneysweep climbing up.

The choreography by Pamela Vella, Estelle Bonello Sant and Edwina Farrugia, who was also the producer, was just wonderful and not one of those taking part, young or old, put a foot wrong. Watching such a great show made me wonder why something like this cannot be recorded and shown on TV instead of a lot of sub-standard shows that are shown, especially some of the singers/dancers taking part in TV shows whose standard is far, far below that of the Salesian youngsters taking part in this show and so many others that they’ve put on over the years.

There were quite a few very talented singers in this group, but deserving of special mention were Mandy Randon with I Feel Pretty, Chaya Fenech’s Puppet on a String and last but not least Norma Camilleri’s beautifully sung La Voce nel Silenzio.

A very big well done to everyone. You all more than deserved the prolonged applause that greeted each new number and at the end of the show. Keep it up and may God bless you all.

Margaret Camilleri-Pace (Mrs)

Sliema