The Three Towns in Concert

On a cold, wet evening, with torrential rain sweeping through the streets, the supporters of The Three Towns filled St Joseph’s hall. As soon as the concert started all thoughts of the weather were banished, the power of music and song bringing happiness and memories giving the audience a much-needed warm hug.

Phil Boardman was the Musical Director and Conductor, giving way to David Kaye for one number. Taking us through a range of genres. Nicola White was on the piano and helped by Elsa McGee. Kate Blezard treated us to the flute. Irene Smith was the compere who wittily took us through the programme, informing us with little titbits about the songs and composers.

The choir wore evening dress, seated from floor to stage on four levels. With a small raised area on the floor in front of the choir Stage Right.

The choir opened with Funiculi Funicula a Neapolitan song which celebrates the hillside cable car. A number of people have covered this from Luciano Pavarotti to The Grateful Dead. Jean Forrester is the first to take on a solo giving us Over The Rainbow. It was captivating. The popular Wicked musical and film was next with Defying Gravity. The men then entertained us with the well-known You Raise Me Up. Brian Kennedy being the original singer and others having more success with it later. The choir did it justice and I am sure there were a few eyes leaking. Colin Magenty then gave us More I Cannot Wish You from Guys And Dolls sung by an elderly missionary to his granddaughter Sarah Brown. This was sung and acted out with Victoria Goulden as Sarah. The Choir then take on the world-famous O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. Used so many times in tv and adverts for its dramatic haunting sound that the Omen film made the mediaeval piece famous for – very powerful. We were then treated to a duet by Kate Blezard and Beth Garrett singing I Still Believe from Miss Saigon, followed by haunting lyrics from Jennie Heywood singing Memory from CATS and the full choir getting In The Mood by Glenn Miller getting the audience going. Taking us into the interval was a Les Misérables medley with solos, plenty of emotion and a lovely arrangement.

Opening the second half was And The Glory of the Lord from the Messiah by George Frideric Handel, sourced from the King James Bible. John Matthias then gave us comedy singing Horn Concerto, having fun with it.  Steeleye Span took inspiration from the 16th century Latin Christmas Carol Gaudete. Just Beautiful. David Kaye was the conductor of the next song which was Fields of Gold by Gordon Sumner otherwise known as Sting, sung by the ladies in the style of Eva Cassidy. Lovely. Tony Meehan then gave us a bit of movement and nostalgia with Sway sung by Dean Martin in 1954.  

As always, we are treated to a snippet of the next show The Yeomen of The Guard. The opening chorus with Steve Brennan as the Yeoman Warder. I am looking forward to this in 2026. Lauren Mulligan sang the aria O Mio Bambino Caro by Puccini and Forzano. Just beautiful Lauren. The  choir then had fun with a Motown medley, memories of the 1960’s with songs ranging from Reach Out I’ll Be There and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. And many more getting people moving in their seats. The encore was The Carpenters’ Top Of The World.

What a lovely evening and something for everyone. Thank you so much for the invite from my guest Angela and I

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