A Christmas Spectacular

I was very excited to visit a group that is completely unknown to me in a District far from my own West Cornwall District 1. I was warmly welcomed by front of house before entering the hall, that was draped with white gauze hung like a desert tent and laid out with tables seating around six to ten, each topped with a generous supply of nibbles.  The mulled wine, teas and coffees and a lively tombola provided an expectant atmosphere as the audience entered. The stage was filled with chairs for the choir who would shortly take their seats… on levels to give the audience a good view of each member, and them, in turn, clear sight of the MD on her podium set at floor level.  Set DR a blackboard informed us we were 2219 miles from Lapland and 3313 miles from Broadway adding a touch of whimsy and reinforcing the strap line of the show’s title (From Lapland To Broadway), plus a support  easel for what would become title boards for each section of the concert, while pink Christmas trees and candy striped poles completed the setting and gave the seasonal touch. All this before a backcloth of a harvest moon shining through a tracery of grey winter branches.  On the floor sat an electric keyboard that was the only backing for the singers.  This was a simple and functional performance space and required no changes as the show progressed.  Two stand mics were prominent on stage presumably to amplify the singers but the 30 or so were able to produce a powerful sound en masse and it certainly sounded as if the voices were coming directly from the stage.  The balance between the voices and the accompaniment was spot on and overall the sound was excellent with clear diction so that every word was audible even in the full company numbers - respect for the synchronicity, well rehearsed.  A casual theme without uniform suited this informal Christmas concert so a medley of red, green, silver and gold outfits with an abundance of sequins and lace was on display with the gentlemen smartly attired in black, brightened by coloured ties.   

The programme choices, with traditional carols in complex and entertaining arrangements, mixed with well known and lesser known songs from musicals over the years and a bit of classical oratorio ‘thrown’ in, gave something for everyone and even included a bit of pop for a community effort at the end.  There was a balance between full company numbers and those highlighting the talents of individuals, as different members of the choir stepped forward for a moment in the spotlight.  After an enthusiastic Wassailing opening, the change to the Messiah’s Hallelujah chorus was dramatic using its full range of virtuoso harmonies, and delivered powerfully with total commitment to the difficult timing.  Go Away Madam came close to replicating a show scene with a trio performing it using interactions and  eye contact in a fun way.   Masters In This Hall was new to me; this ongoing and relentless melody hardly gave the singers time to breathe and not all the words came across clearly but it was presented with energy.  What a joyous number was Doing The Latest Rag, with a solo lead who knew the words and was able to sell the song looking out at the audience, it was jolly and lively.  In contrast the slower The Long Day Closes perfectly mirrored the mood initiated by the preceding poem.  The Christmas Waltz allowed the pianist a moment to shine and gave us a captivating moment of quiet calm while the choir had a well earned rest.

The second half proved just as enjoyable following a rousing start in full company spirit of Get Me To The Church On Time.  Here were songs from a more recent time and we heard numbers from around the last 50 years: the moving Being Alive from Sondheim’s Company performed with sensitivity; a sextet of tuneful ladies presented the haunting Christmas Lullaby with clear diction so that everyone could hear the words of this probably little known song; and more Sondheim, always a challenge with his sophisticated and complex harmonies, for a vigorous rendition of Sunday.  Bursting into Disney, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame medley must have brought back some memories of the society's own performance of the full musical 18 months ago.  What a pretty tune John Williams wrote for Somewhere In My Memory beautifully delivered with a feeling for its sentiments.  A bright and bouncy Christmas On Broadway with its familiar melody line pleasurably fitted the moment drawing towards the end of the concert in seasonal mood, before a splendid and full-blooded Tonight gave the cast a last chance to exhibit their impressive vocal skills with Bernstein’s complex countermelodies.  Interspersed at intervals throughout the singing it was a satisfying melange to have some spoken word to enhance the entertainment.  Standing out was a reading of A Visit From St Nicholas given a rendition that was full of character with vocal tone that was varied, using rise and fall, and changes in pace that really made one want to listen to it.  Missing You Most At Christmas Time had a poignant theme and was presented in a thoughtfully expressive manner, as was Wartime Christmas, which underpinned the sensitive theme.   We were taken by surprise when the a cappella version of Little Donkey was interrupted and a politically correct version had to be substituted.  What a wonderfully comic concept.   How many ladies in the audience could not relate to the humorous parody ’Twas The Month After Christmas?  It was funny,  related with all the emotion of the agony of the plight that will be on us in just a week or two!  It was a treat to listen to the confident and resonant voices performing so tunefully and enthusiastically and I really appreciated the skill and artistry of those on stage.  It was well worth the drive from mid-Cornwall to spend time in your company.

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