It cannot be everyday that people
such as I, who cannot be classed as a singer of any quality, can say that
they have sung with and shared a theatrical stage with the actor who has
played Jean Valjean more times than anyone else, but after last night I
can make that claim.
To
launch the programme to reclaim the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline for the
performing arts a choir of around 250 of the finest amateur singers that
have been on one stage at anytime, oh and Sheila and I as well, had the
opportunity to perform ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ and ‘One Day
More’ from Les Miserables with Jeff Leyton, the Edinburgh born star of
more performances in the lead role than any other. Jeff also brought the
house down with his definitive performance of the classic ‘Bring Him
Home’. As a once in a lifetime experience it would be hard to better.
Following on from this the several hundred attendees were royally
entertained by Paul Gudgin and the Big Band with a performance of swing
music that was as fine an example of this genre as I had ever seen.
The project to restore this
magnificent theatre to it’d former glory will not come cheap or easy,
but with the likes of Paul Gudgin, once Director of the Edinburgh Fringe,
heading the campaign who can doubt it will succeed.
Already a lot of work has been done
with the publicity machine revving up, an open day for the general public
running from 10-00am until 18-00 on Saturday 1st December to
give the people of Central Scotland a chance to participate in the rebirth
of this edifice.
But
back to Friday night, the organisation and enthusiasm that was exhibited
throughout was immense. The choir largely formed by members and friends of
the superb Scottish Theatre Forum website and somehow got together in one
place by Mark Grieve, and amazingly Suzi Dumbreck managed to get this group
to sing and move into place on cue. Magnificent guys. Paul Gudgin and the
rest of the team, not forgetting the band, we at one4review take our
collective hats off to you.
To keep up to date with what will be
happening with this project I’m sure that The Scottish Theatre Forum
website www.scottishtheatreforum.com
will carry information, as we will on our news page.
To
launch the programme to reclaim the Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline for the
performing arts a choir of around 250 of the finest amateur singers that
have been on one stage at anytime, oh and Sheila and I as well, had the
opportunity to perform ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ and ‘One Day
More’ from Les Miserables with Jeff Leyton, the Edinburgh born star of
more performances in the lead role than any other. Jeff also brought the
house down with his definitive performance of the classic ‘Bring Him
Home’. As a once in a lifetime experience it would be hard to better.
Following on from this the several hundred attendees were royally
entertained by Paul Gudgin and the Big Band with a performance of swing
music that was as fine an example of this genre as I had ever seen.
But
back to Friday night, the organisation and enthusiasm that was exhibited
throughout was immense. The choir largely formed by members and friends of
the superb Scottish Theatre Forum website and somehow got together in one
place by Mark Grieve, and amazingly Suzi Dumbreck managed to get this group
to sing and move into place on cue. Magnificent guys. Paul Gudgin and the
rest of the team, not forgetting the band, we at one4review take our
collective hats off to you.