Friends and Family Spring Concert

I had the singular pleasure of visiting friends, both old and new, from Beaconsfield Operatic Society on the occasion of their Spring Friends and Family Concert in Newsham and New Delaval Social Club in Blyth.

This has always been an enjoyable experience in past times, and this year’s concert was up to the Society’s usual high standard. Conducted admirably by MD Susan Sabourn, accompanied by Peter Robertson on keyboard, and also good to see there were 30 singers of all ages in the choir.

In conversation with Chairman Kathleen during the concert, we discussed and agreed the value of this type of performance, not only for young members to ‘cut their teeth’, but also for those more senior, who perhaps do not, or cannot take part in a society’s main staged shows.

As usual, Mike Douglas was a very funny and endearing M.C, his one-liners excelling again. Nice to hear some new ones, Mike – well done!. He is invaluable to them in this role.

The theme of the concert, chosen by Susan, was The World, Time, and Nature, and this was reflected well in the content of the show. Fourteen numbers in the first part and ten in the second which were all sung superbly well and sounded beautiful with nicely balanced harmonies and confident soloists. Congratulations to all who took part!.

It was lovely to hear some old favourites like Spring, Spring, Spring from Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and The Black Hills of Dakota from Calamity Jane, and some new numbers to me too, such as Colours of the Wind from Pocahontas, beautifully sung by Amber Jessop, A Bit of Earth from The Secret Garden, ably delivered by James Thompson and the extremely funny Plant a Radish from The Fantastiks, – humorously put across by Patrick Bryon.

There were some other superb moments from Kathryne Sabourn – The Sun Whose Rays, from The Mikado and the final number – a favourite of my late companion Pauleen – Clambake from Carousel.

Pauleen always used to say ‘You only get success when you’ve put in the hard work from the outset’, and in this case, she was exactly right!. It was obvious to us, the packed audience in the concert room, just how much hard work and planning had been going on here. The result of which was a tremendous reception by the audience at the conclusion. Well done to Susan, Peter and every single one of the choir.

Many thanks, especially to Kathleen for the invitation and the friendly reception and hospitality, and to Michael for his humour and lovely obituary for Pauleen at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.

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