Let me start by apologising to anyone who has been checking the blog over the last two weeks to see if I have posted anything worth reading (and yes I recognise many of you may suggest I should extend that apology to anyone who has ever accessed this blog!).
As you will have noticed from my post about The Producers in Derby (a fantastic show) I have been a little busy with the day job of late. Since that's the one that pays all my bills, I'll not apologise too much! So last Wednesday, when I had hoped to rejoin the rest of the gang and sing away at Strutts, I was so tired that I got off the train in Belper and went back home.
I did wonder whether you'd be interested in me blogging for a moment or two about the committee meeting that we had on the Thursday evening at the Devonshire in Belper. Perhaps the best thing about the evening was the new ale that they have started to serve!
We are now progressing apace with plans not only for the Autumn Concert (life is a Cabaret, see separate page for booking form) but also with getting Copacabana up and running next year. Now that will be a great show to see as well.
It's so exciting to know that our Autumn Concert will be the first event to be held in the new Theatre Hall at Belper School. That has to be an added bonus for all those who come to see the show.
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Friday 17 June 2011
The Producers from DOC - a show to see!
One of the great things about being in a local amateur theatre group like Belper Musical Theatre is that we have access to some cracking good shows from other local amateur theatre groups. Last night Sue and I went to see DOC's production of "The Producers" and we had a fantastic time!
As well as excellent performances from the lead males, who carried the show and the story at a rate of knots from their first appearances, there were so many excellent moments and minor characters who gave the show depth and feeling. Whether it was the arrival of Adolf Elizabeth Hitler, the old guy singing 'Little Wooden Boy' or the identikit randy old ladies and their crow's chorus in the court scene, there was so much to see and enjoy that it's the sort of show to go and see time and again.
Having a vague awareness of how much it costs to stage productions, this was a big budget show with a big budget impact. From the 17 piece orchestra, fully visible at the front of the stage, to the many costume changes, fantastic sets and classy lighting, this was a show that was crafted with care and designed to deliver.
Well done to everyone I know in the show, and all the others who I don't know yet. Enjoy your last three performances and I hope that they all sell out for you - you deserve it!
I also found the DVD on Amazon, so think I may have to get myself a copy and enjoy it again, though it won't be the same immersive experience as you get at Derby Theatre!
As well as excellent performances from the lead males, who carried the show and the story at a rate of knots from their first appearances, there were so many excellent moments and minor characters who gave the show depth and feeling. Whether it was the arrival of Adolf Elizabeth Hitler, the old guy singing 'Little Wooden Boy' or the identikit randy old ladies and their crow's chorus in the court scene, there was so much to see and enjoy that it's the sort of show to go and see time and again.
Having a vague awareness of how much it costs to stage productions, this was a big budget show with a big budget impact. From the 17 piece orchestra, fully visible at the front of the stage, to the many costume changes, fantastic sets and classy lighting, this was a show that was crafted with care and designed to deliver.
Well done to everyone I know in the show, and all the others who I don't know yet. Enjoy your last three performances and I hope that they all sell out for you - you deserve it!
I also found the DVD on Amazon, so think I may have to get myself a copy and enjoy it again, though it won't be the same immersive experience as you get at Derby Theatre!
Friday 10 June 2011
A bit of rubato
This week we spent a good chunk of our time learning our Blood Brothers medley. I don't know the show myself (and those who know me won't be remotely surprised about that) but it's got some cracking tunes in it and a very moving closing section.
Anyway, above the lines for parts the instruction states 'rubato'. Despite having learnt piano and clarinet at school and having been in the school choir (as well as having a music teacher for a Mum!) I had never come across this particular word before, so thought that I'd have a look and see what it meant.
It was one of those times when the mobile internet proved its worth! Doing my very best not to be seen by our musical director, Terry, who does get cross if we're not focussing on his direction, I typed rubato into Google to see what it meant.
It seems to be that rubato is one of those hard phrases to define adequately in a few words. Essentially it seems to mean rhythmically. But then the reality appears to be that it's the bit where you sing it with your own rhythm, to give life and movement to a particular piece. In other words you make it your own!
So how does that work when you're singing as part of a chorus! Does everyone sing it their own way? Or does your MD decide what it should be and the rest of the company just toe the line like usual?
I guess that I'd consider that rubato was summed up in our Miss Saigon medley last year in the Sunlight and Moon section. Adela just did something with her phrasing in the line "We have been blessed, you and I" that was amazingly moving. And I guess that was rubato!
For BMT this week, the rubato was managing the short notes on the first syllable of seven before we ran into the native American woo, woo, woos! The ladies got there in the end.
For us guys, I think we managed to give it a good old dose of rubato - but that was a lot more about adding in our own rhythm and style. And quite possibly in the parts where we shouldn't have done.
Anyway, above the lines for parts the instruction states 'rubato'. Despite having learnt piano and clarinet at school and having been in the school choir (as well as having a music teacher for a Mum!) I had never come across this particular word before, so thought that I'd have a look and see what it meant.
It was one of those times when the mobile internet proved its worth! Doing my very best not to be seen by our musical director, Terry, who does get cross if we're not focussing on his direction, I typed rubato into Google to see what it meant.
It seems to be that rubato is one of those hard phrases to define adequately in a few words. Essentially it seems to mean rhythmically. But then the reality appears to be that it's the bit where you sing it with your own rhythm, to give life and movement to a particular piece. In other words you make it your own!
So how does that work when you're singing as part of a chorus! Does everyone sing it their own way? Or does your MD decide what it should be and the rest of the company just toe the line like usual?
I guess that I'd consider that rubato was summed up in our Miss Saigon medley last year in the Sunlight and Moon section. Adela just did something with her phrasing in the line "We have been blessed, you and I" that was amazingly moving. And I guess that was rubato!
For BMT this week, the rubato was managing the short notes on the first syllable of seven before we ran into the native American woo, woo, woos! The ladies got there in the end.
For us guys, I think we managed to give it a good old dose of rubato - but that was a lot more about adding in our own rhythm and style. And quite possibly in the parts where we shouldn't have done.
Wednesday 8 June 2011
AGM thoughts
As I was listening to the radio on my way home from work on the 25th May, some important person commented that Democracy results in peace and wealth. The phrase struck a real chord with me and I reflected on it repeatedly as we had the BMT AGM that evening.
I think that having an annual general meeting of all the members of the company is a really important part of our commitment to democracy. It allows everyone in the company to engage with the future direction of the organisation, ask questions in an open forum and to challenge decisions that have been made.
But it seems that this essential democratic process is more likely to encourage people to take on an adversarial role, rather than a peacemaker! Is this because people feel disenfranchised from the daily plans and work that is undertaken? Do people feel that they don't have the chance or opportunity to be able to engage on the basis that they would like?
It was really positive that we had new volunteers to sit on the BMT committee - especially since we're losing three of our committee members this time around. Any new member brings a dash of life and vitality as well as a different way of looking at things. But I am well aware that we could do with even more people willing and able to come along to committee meetings each month and help to keep the company running smoothly.
Whatever the drivers for the various questions voiced at our AGM, it seems to me that our Chair has done a fantastic job this year on behalf of the company and he was able to explain what we've done and why we've done it. So well done to Mark. And a big thank you to everyone else at BMT, both in the committee and the wider company, who have given up their time and effort in many different ways over the last 12 months.
At the end of a fairly vocal meeting, it seems that we are once again back on track with peace and prosperity (as long as everyone pays their membership subscriptions) and that means that we can get on with the singing - which is after all what we all enjoy the most!
I think that having an annual general meeting of all the members of the company is a really important part of our commitment to democracy. It allows everyone in the company to engage with the future direction of the organisation, ask questions in an open forum and to challenge decisions that have been made.
But it seems that this essential democratic process is more likely to encourage people to take on an adversarial role, rather than a peacemaker! Is this because people feel disenfranchised from the daily plans and work that is undertaken? Do people feel that they don't have the chance or opportunity to be able to engage on the basis that they would like?
It was really positive that we had new volunteers to sit on the BMT committee - especially since we're losing three of our committee members this time around. Any new member brings a dash of life and vitality as well as a different way of looking at things. But I am well aware that we could do with even more people willing and able to come along to committee meetings each month and help to keep the company running smoothly.
Whatever the drivers for the various questions voiced at our AGM, it seems to me that our Chair has done a fantastic job this year on behalf of the company and he was able to explain what we've done and why we've done it. So well done to Mark. And a big thank you to everyone else at BMT, both in the committee and the wider company, who have given up their time and effort in many different ways over the last 12 months.
At the end of a fairly vocal meeting, it seems that we are once again back on track with peace and prosperity (as long as everyone pays their membership subscriptions) and that means that we can get on with the singing - which is after all what we all enjoy the most!
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