A Christmas concert

It felt a little like Deja vu as I entered March Community Centre on the evening of Thursday December 14th. After all my seat was still warm from my previous visit to this hallowed venue in October for a cracking review entitled ‘Community Spirit’. In truth this was not really on the NODA radar at all, and it was me who insisted on coming and … I bought (with cash) two tickets into the bargain. I love these guys so much I just couldn’t bear the thought of missing their Christmas choral performance of “A Christmas Concert”

The bottom line is … it did exactly what it said on the can! It was indeed a choral concert, and it was without a shadow of a doubt the very embodiment of Christmas. I was (you will recall) completely blown away with the last performance of, by what is known around these parts as, “The Touring Group”. Complicated harmonies delivered to an exceptionally high standard under the (clearly) expert direction of Musical Director, Ellie Savill. This time round things looked a little more unpredictable and a lot more like they were winging it …. and do you know what? It just added to the charm of the whole evening.

I may have said this before, but this was a completely ensemble performance, and so, picking out the best bits seems enormously unfair, however there were some special moments, and in the first half I would highlight the wonderful cello in ‘Bring Us Hope (An Anthem for Advent)’, a superb acapella version of ‘’Away in a Manger’, a breath-taking ‘Myn Lyking’ and the look on Ellie Savill’s face when an unexpected verse appeared during ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem!’ The second half notables included a delightful Cello and Penny Whistle version of ‘The Star’, a cracking arrangement of ‘The Christmas Song’ and a wonderful trio delivering ‘The Very Best Time of Year’. Now I think about it, it was all wonderful and (with just a few technical issues relating to the fold back sound) was everything I personally would ever want from a Christmas Concert.

Because this was a team game, this review is written with a no names (except the Musical Director’s), no pack drill policy and no cast member will be singled out. Therefore, penultimate paragraph honours go to Ellie Pettet who was sitting in front of me and kept turning around so we could share the funny bits and (more importantly) for reviewing the Anglian Players last production for me while I was in the US of A. Miss Pettet has just edged this honour from Society Chairman, Francis Pepper who was taken ill prior to curtain-up and spent the evening in hospital instead of on stage. I hope a swift and complete recovery was made and Christmas was not lost!

Congratulations Ellie Savill, and congratulations MADAOS, you are not just one of the best run societies in 4North, you are so darned likeable. I can’t think of anyone I would rather have spent Christmas with.

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