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This was described in the publicity as being a Nativity story with a difference. The difference is that the story is told against a circus setting, complete with ringmaster, clowns, acrobats, knifethrower etc., obviously influenced by 'Godspell' and 'Joseph', but none the worse for that. Since we all know the plot, the main interest lay in how well the treatment worked, and this was very successful, told with a certain reverence, apart from some possibly dubious taste involving the aforementioned knife-throwing by Herod's henchman and male babies. Humour was much to the fore, and the music was very tuneful, and, at times, moving. Performances from the whole company of forty or so were very confident, and conveyed the enjoyment of those Involved, from children to grandparents. Billy Meeks, as Joseph, in particular, impressed with his portrayal of a simple, but warm and understanding artisan. One of the highlights of the second act was the very funny rendering by one of the Roman Guards of the plaintive 'I'm Not Drunk'. Director Graham Nicol had expertly tailored his production to the awkwardness of the stage erected in the nave of the church, and had managed to include some beautiful special effects. Honours too to the lighting and sound engineers. Perhaps 'miracles' is not an appropriate word, given the venue, but they certainly worked wonders under very difficult conditions. Judith Crawford led the excellent small band and directed the music from the piano. The cast battled (successfully, for the most part) with the acoustics of the cavernous space, and some of the ensemble singing was splendid. All in all, a most enjoyable performance of a work which I would not hesitate to recommend other groups as a Christmas production. NODA News The Greatest Show on Earth Autumn term closed on a lively note at the De Lisle School in Loughborough with a high-spirited production from the Upper School of the seasonal musical The Greatest Show on Earth.The Kirkup/Hobbs show is in the Rock Gospel vein, setting the christmas story within a circus framework. There is much allegory, and theproduction was given an inventive "youth theatre" treatment which created a colourful, spontaneous feeling, admirably maintained throughout. Producer Tricia Coxon emphasised the sction packed circus theme, taking her young folk into the audience with ballons, streamers and general good cheer, sparking up the evening with a bright atmosphere.Musical director Andrew Lawson had coaxed a smashing response from his singing chorus (bags of well defined harmonies) who filled in the stage spaces with attractive background pictures. Solos and chorus numbers were backed by a well balanced band of confident musicians who delivered a tight punchy sound, underpinning mood and atmosphere. Musical numbers were sharply contrasted; quiet love songs worked well alongside big, brash, band-the-drum outpourings and the rousing march SPQR which opened act II.The young cast tackled the tricky dual roles with vocal clarity and sensitive teamwork. The parts were written as two sides of what may not be quite the same coin, bending and blending historical fact, Christian tradition and circus caricatures into one character. For instance, Herod is also the physically powerful lion-tamer with all the sub-plottings, overtones and role-playing associated with both or either... Coalville Times, Leics.
Newbiggin musician Derek Hobbs, whose most recent success was the community oratorio 'Fell 'em Doon' at the Newcastle Proms last autumn, has turned to the engravings of Thomas Bewick for his latest creation.His beautifully produced book features 24 tunes, each paired with a printed engraving. The tunes are varied in manner and pitched so as to suit a variety of instruments, including Northumbrian Pipes, fiddle and penny whistle.It is sometimes difficult to feel the connection between the tune and the picture, but some are very clear. Toy boats on the Tyne, for example, is a haunting slow air capturing perfectly the lzy feel of a summer afternoon as the lads in Bewick's picture try out their boats on the river, as the young artist did himself as a boy.Hens around the Yard has an amusing way of imitating the pecking action of poultry and the jerking of the head, but Bewick's print is of a farmyard with an amazing variety of birds, as it should be since it was made for his History of British Birds.The Cuckoo's Tune features that bird's characteristic falling third and the tune of The Weelright circles around in a satisfying way...... Another slow air, High Tide does include some delicious major seventh chords against its haunting Aolean mode melody. Walking the Hog is an amusing evocation of Bewick's man being dragged along by the string tied to his pig's back leg.There is another lovely slow air to illustrate the peaceful scene at Bewick's birthplace, Cherryburn, Eltringham, alas no longer so peaceful as it was even 25 years ago when I lived thereabouts.Derek Hobbs has produced a charming and varied collection which should draw a big audience in this region and further afield. KEVIN STEPHENS
"Fell 'Em Doon" was the nickname Of the first pit sunk at Ashington in 1849 and Derek Hobbs' score with Mike Kirkup's libretto reflect the many aspects of life around the pit.The accompaniment though technicatly unlikely to pose any problems for bands taking this cantata "on board" will, however, need to spend some time with balance for the solo voices. There are some lovely moments, "Long Row, Cross Row", "Paint Us A Picture" and the final "Colliers' Requiem" to name but three.This work has many performance possibilities. A first-class musical school could tackle it, so could a band and local choral society. Band concerts are often in great need of offering something new to customers. Why not try this fifty minute work as a change? The band parts are available on hire, further details from Rossieigh Music, Rossleigh House, Windsor Terrace, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, NE64 6UJ.Dennis Wilby
Newcastle Journal |
Typical reviews St Columba's Players
Music: Derek Hobbs
