| Variety is the spice of the show!
Within the houses and streets of our picturesque parish lies an incredible wealth of amateur talent that can sometimes remain hidden. The Village Hall Development Committee, however, are extremely successful at coaxing such hidden talent to reveal itself for the common good and, on Friday 19th July, many brave individuals took to the stage for the King's Somborne Variety Show in aid of the village hall renovation.
Enjoying champagne and canapés in the open air whilst watching our very own Morris Dancers, the audience then followed piper Rory McClenagham into the hall where compère, John Vanderpump, spoke briefly about the fundraising activities which had achieved a total of £40,000 towards the kitchen refurbishment and the new committee room.
First on the bill was the King's Somborne School Band with conductor, Jane Brydon, who delighted the audience with a musical medley around a 'Trip to a Theme Park'. Then band member, Billy Andrews, stepped forward with his euphonium, a conical-bore brass instrument, to play three solo numbers. Clearly loving the limelight, the multi-talented Billy remained on stage to perform a comedy duo act with pal, Nick Jarvis, which had everyone chuckling at their 'Gang Show' jokes. Billy finally left the stage to make way for David Haydon's marvelous rendition of two Flanders & Swan classics, followed by Vanessa Sharpe who closed part one of the show with a dramatic presentation of the Lewis Carroll's nonsense verse 'Jabberwocky'.
The 'variety' of acts became even more pronounced in part two. Led by Sarah Hughes, two groups of local youngsters performed platform dances which rivalled anything seen on TV's 'Britain's Got Talent'. Reduced at the very last minute from a three to a two-piece band, brave Rob Jarvis and Thomas Rickard played so well that there were calls for an encore. Then the Cubs and Scouts, plus sisters, took to the stage with a Gang Show rendition of songs from 'Oliver' and some show-stopping solos. The Amazing Alonso, looking very much like Alan Glynne-Jones, deftly juggled batons at incredible heights, ably assisted by brother, Pietro and a volunteer, the stage-struck Billy Andrews. The part two finale featured the incredible musical talent that is Ben Goddard on his guitar who enchanted the audience with his own compositions.
Sated with wine and sausage rolls, the audience returned to their seats to listen to a flute duet of African/Latino numbers by Melanie Haydon and Alan Glynne-Jones. The musical theme continued with Catherine Cartwright's unaccompanied rendition of 'Over the Mountain' and then, playing the guitar, she was joined by the flautists for 'Caledonia'. Next, two members of the Somborne Players performed a French poem of 'despair and sadness in a café' with Rebecca Rickard reciting in French and Lesley Evans acting out the English interpretation.
No village show would be complete without the Somborne Singers who performed a emotionally-charged version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and were then joined by the Badgers for 'Knocking on Heaven's Door'. Continuing the musical mood, the evening's finale was the Jukebox Auction; the two chosen classics, 'Angel' and 'Maggie May' were sung by the Badgers and accompanied by Alan Glynne-Jones and Ben Goddard. Thoroughly buoyed by such a great evening's entertainment, the audience reciprocated by dancing in the aisles.
The voluntary efforts of the variety show acts and the support of the audience raised £1300 towards the village hall development fund. Thanks goes to them, all the background helpers and committee members, including the committee wives who made the delicious canapés.
Dawn Harrison |
