More Songs to Sing Oh - 2022 Summer Concert Season

More Songs to Sing Oh – 2022 Summer Concert Season… this concert was part of Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Societies 2022 Summer Concert Season…. presented at The Emmanuel Church, Derby Street, Ormskirk on Saturday 18th June, 2022.

Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Society Summer Concert Season consists of three concerts… the first concert was presented at St Faiths Church, Waterloo on 27th May, the second was tonight’s concert and a final one is to be staged at St Andrew’s Church, West Kirkby, Wirral on the 2nd July, 2022.

It isn’t that long ago, 18th March, 2022, that I had the privilege and pleasure of attending Southport Little Theatre to witness Crosby G&S Society’s production of The Yeoman of the Guard, so to see the society back in action so quickly, is great news!

I’ve said this before and I will no doubt say it again, but to stage any type of production, be it a musical, play, concert or revue takes a vast amount of time, energy, leadership and dedication and there is little or no doubt that Crosby Gilbert and Sullivan Society are blessed with many such dedicated and experienced theatre people. So, many congratulations for this entertaining concert as to go to the Production Team of Ian Dunning (Musical Director), Ann Dickinson MBE (Pianist) and our ‘Compere’ throughout the evening, Helen Bennett, who, without doubt, did a fabulous job, keeping us abreast of what, where and when the pieces of music being sung had originated from and a little about the story behind them!

The programme was performed in two parts…
Part One included the following:  from The Yeoman of the Guard… ‘Tower Warden’s Under Orders’, ‘When our Gallant Norman Foes’, ‘Strange Adventure’, ‘Oh, Peaceful England’. From The Gondoliers… ‘List and Learn’, ‘Take a pair of Sparkling Eyes’, ‘Kind Sir’, ‘Bride and Groom’, ‘When a Merry Maiden Marries’, ‘Dance a Cachucha’.   From The Sorcerer… ‘With Heart and Voice and finally, from Pirates of Penzance… ‘Oh False One’, ‘When a Felon’s not Engaged’ and the ‘Finale of Act 1’ from Pirates

Part Two commenced with Ruddigore… ‘Chorus of Bridesmaids’, ‘In Sailing o’er Life’s Ocean’, ‘I Know a Youth’.  From Princess Ida… ‘Search throughout the Panorama’, ‘Now Wouldn’t You Like’, ‘When Anger Spreads her Wings’.  From Trial by Jury… we had ‘Hark the Hour of Ten’.  From Iolanthe… ‘Tripping Hither’, ‘Though P'r'aps I May Incur Your Blame’ and the final pieces came from The Mikado… ‘If you want to know who we are’’ ‘Braid the Raven Hair’, ‘There is Beauty in the Bellow’, ‘Brightly Dawns our Wedding Day’ and last but not least… the ‘Final from Act 2’.

I have purposely excluded performers names from this review simply because, I believe, this was a total ‘team effort’ with everyone giving of their best.  The ‘simple programme’ and this is not a criticism at all, provided only the names of the ‘principal singers’ and not the chorus members, so, in my opinion, not being able to include them just seemed wrong!  But, having said that, I really do think it would be remiss of me not to ‘slick my neck out’ again and highlight my five personal favourite performances from the evening, although this has proved a real challenge, when there were so many wonderful performances throughout the programme!  But, never one to ‘shirk responsibility’ these are ‘MY’ favourites and I’m sure, if you were to have asked any other person who attended that evening, they would probably come up with a completely different selection, for completely different reasons ...but these are mine...

The ’Show Stealer’ for me was not an actual song, but a voice!   I thought Laura Henderson sang all her songs wonderfully well, especially her opening rendition of ‘When a Merry Maiden Marries’ from ‘The Gondoliers’!  The tone and clarity in Laura’s voice was amazing… I honestly don’t think I missed a single word all night!  I had the privilege and pleasure to speak with Laura during the interval, be ever so proud Laura, great job, great voice!    ‘List and learn’ another from ‘The Gondoliers’ …sung really well by Elaine Williams, Gerry Smith, James Fleming, Helen Bennett, Peter Crichton, Suzanne Denner and the full chorus… ’List and learn… roses white and roses red’… loved the different voices sharing this piece, beautiful lyrics, great harmonies… well done one and all! 
‘Oh, False One’ from ‘Pirates of Penzance’…  Elaine Williams and Peter Crichton dueted in this one. The interaction between the two was great / the silly deception, if that’s the right words / it was well sung and well-acted, be proud you two great job!
‘There is a beauty in the Bellow’ from The Mikado’ sung and acted ever so well by Joan Ashcroft and Jonathan Taylor.  Well done you two great performances!  Finally… again from ‘The Mikado’ … ‘If you want to know who we are’ sung by the ‘Men’s chorus at their best, some great voices in there… well done guys, great job!

Honestly, I could go on… I loved ‘Now wouldn’t you dare’ from Princess Ida, loved ‘Tripping hither’, from Iolanthe, the list is endless… well done each and all, great job!

Once again, can I take this opportunity to thank you for inviting my wife and I, we loved the evening… thank you for your hospitality (can always be ‘bribed’ by a cream scone with strawberries ahahaha), can’t wait to see you all again soon! 

Stay safe and keep well

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
Regional Rep District 6

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