We'll Meet Again

We’ll Meet Again… a concert performed by Pilkington Musical Theatre Company and Pilks PJ’s on Saturday 8th June 2024 at Carmel College, Prescot Road, St. Helens.

This concert was held in support of not only the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, but also in support of ‘The Standing Tall Foundation’, a charity based in St Helens and founded in 2020 by Andy Reid MBE and John F Tabern MSc.  The charity promotes mental health and physical wellbeing for all Local Community Groups, through the provision of counselling, addiction support and physical activities initiatives. They also extend support into the community to help those suffering financial hardship, including the homeless, via the provision of grants, items and services using the resources secured by the Foundation or those made available to them… a donation of £1.00 from every ticket sold at this concert was being donated to the foundation …  additional info re the foundation can be found about the foundation on www.standingtallfoundation.org.uk

The concert was performed in two acts ...
Act One included …

1. The White Cliffs of Dover … sung exceptionally well by Danielle Lyon
2. Pack Up Your Troubles/It’s A Long Way to Tipperary … was sung be the entire Ensemble            
3. Run Rabbit Run … sung with ‘gusto’ by the youngsters from Pilks PJ’s        
4. This Is the Army Mr Jones … was another song sung by the entire Ensemble                                 
5. Don’t Fence Me in… classic/favourite song of mine from the Cole Porter songbook sung amazingly well by Adam Hurst, Jean Aspinall, Danielle Lyon, Lucy Bache
6. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy   …    three ‘classics’ songs sung                                     
7. Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree …  fabulously well by                                             
8. Bei Mir Bist Du Shon …  Jean Aspinall, Lucy Bache and Danielle Lyon                       
9. Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant, Major … sung by Ryan Greenall
10. Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler … another Ensemble song sung well         
11. Sentimental Journey …  sung with passion by Suzi Davies
12. Sally… a highlight from the concert for me sung superbly well by Lucy Bache

Act 2 included ...
1. The Lambeth Walk … love this song… great way to open act two sung by the Ensemble
2. A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square … sung by Suzi Davies          
3. Sing As We Go … another favourite … sung really well by Danielle Lyon
4. Underneath The Arches ... love this song, sung really well by Adam Hurst, Jean Aspinall
5. Bless Em All … a crowd favourite sung by the Ensemble        
6. Falling in Love Again & 7. Lil Marlene …sung, as only he can, by the seductress that is, James Kirby
8. Somewhere Over the Rainbow … brought a smile to everyone’s face… sung by the PJ youngsters
9. We’ll Meet Again … the ‘concert title’ and finale song sung with passion by Jean Aspinall, the Ensemble into the youngsters ... a fitting climax to any celebratory concert!

Staging / Tech … minimal staging was used throughout the concert with three mikes set permanently across the front of the performance area.  There were a few issues with the sound, I think, in an attempt to balance the music with the mikes and the singers, the sound levels were perhaps pushed a little too high causing feedback … although this is only supposition on my part and although the feedback was a constant, it didn’t seem to detract from the overall enjoyment of the concert if the applause that greeted each song and the finale was anything to go by!
Costumes … were apt and of the period and enriched the production.

Celebratory Concerts… over the years, I’ve sung in many similar ‘war time’ celebratory concerts, I just love them, love the sense of occasion and the reason behind them. I think it was 1994 … my society were approached by the Local Council to reproduce a concert which we’d staged that same week to celebrate the ‘50th Anniversary of D-Day. They were running this huge celebratory event, in conjunction with many other local councils from across the country. ‘Huge bonfires’ were to be lit at a same time at local landmarks across the country.  So, we did the concert and then everyone was asked to process from the venue to the top of Ashurst Beacon, a local landmark, the place where the ‘bonfire’ would be lit… I was approached by a council official and asked if I would actually lead the official party which included the Mayor, the Leader of the Council, numerous council officials, celebratory guests, military personnel and many more…. I was dressed in a Naval Uniform and carrying a very large Union Jack which I’d used in the concert.  I explained to the Council Official that I was on ‘an actor’ and not a military person… but he said ‘I looked the part and would I please lead the official party’ which I did!  I lead a couple of hundred people to the location… I was then asked to ‘stand and lead’ the ‘lowering of the colours’ along with Army, Air Force, Naval and British Legion Officials … I was really now getting out of my depth, but ended up doing it and appearing on the front page of every local newspapers the following week … even after that experience … I still love these celebratory concerts! 

Thank you so much for the invite, really did enjoy the show… hope to see you all again soon!

“Stay Safe / Keep well”
Stronger Together!

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW     
District 6 Rep

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