Every year our school performed a concert.
The first one I remember is when I was in 2nd Class. I was the Fairy of the Pocket. There were lots of little girls dancing around in tutus - not sure of the story but one of the little fairies got sick and called in the Fairy of the Pocket to perform her magic cure.
I remember giving instructions about where everyone had to stand and requesting that they bring in a jug of milk and a bowl of apples.
We had been rehearsing this little play for some weeks and certainly knew all the moves and words and were all dressed in our pretty little dresses and ready for a perfect performance.
Everything was pretty much going to plan and then two little fairies brought out the jug of milk and the bowl of apples. We had always rehearsed with an empty jug and bowl but on the night the jug was full of milk and the bowl was full of apples. I can remember being completely thrown and started to giggle. The nun backstage was becoming really annoyed but each time I tried to say my lines and rotate around the jug and bowl to perform the magic act with my magic wand, the giggles continued. This was also contagious so that, to get on with the rest of the concert the curtain eventually came down and we were ushered off the stage.
The term 'it'll be right on the night' was not coined from this performance.
I don't remember getting into trouble or being in any way admonished but some parents and my mum and dad spoke about this for many years when talking about the convent concerts and it seemed as though it was quite a memorable hit.
Friday, 25 December 2009
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
NOW FOR THE WORST
Went to see a program today which I rate as the worst one I have ever seen. Would rather sit through 'Hairspray' or 'Train Spotting'. It was called The Water Puppet Theatre. Don't even want to talk about how bad it was.
Unfortunately I was in the middle of a row where it was impossible to move. The seats were really small with very little room for legs. I would have needed to move five people from their seats and into the aisle to enable an exit. I was ready to go after a few minutes and after half and hour I wished I had taken the move.
Tony told me not to get a ticket for him. Smart bastard! I don't think he would have cared how many people he had to move to force his exit.
Unfortunately I was in the middle of a row where it was impossible to move. The seats were really small with very little room for legs. I would have needed to move five people from their seats and into the aisle to enable an exit. I was ready to go after a few minutes and after half and hour I wished I had taken the move.
Tony told me not to get a ticket for him. Smart bastard! I don't think he would have cared how many people he had to move to force his exit.
Sunday, 20 December 2009
TOPPING THE TOPS
Until 18 December 2009 my top performances were:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow
Swan Lake - Mariinski Theatre in St Petersberg
Both of these were organised by Tony.
THEN, by sheer chance, I organised tickets for a concert at the Hanoi Opera House. The only reason I purchased tickets to this was because the opera had finished the night before and there was nothing else of interest coming up during my visit.
It was called the Yamaha Jazz Christmas Night but was an opportunity to see the Opera House and have a little light entertainment.
How wrong can one be!
We walked in, received our free program, took our seats within one minute of the orchestra appearing on stage, and settled in for what looked like a surprisingly good performance, as the 85 musicians on stage were The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. The conductor, Tetsuji Honna, was world famous so the evening became quite exciting at this point.
The program commenced with some light pieces by composer, Leroy Anderson, followed by Gershwin's American in Paris and was enthusiastically received by the audience.
We were then treated to some Duke Ellington jazz by an excellent group which included a pianist by the name of Yamashita. He is the most talented pianist I have ever seen and to be so close was perfect. Our seats did not allow us to see his hands so Tony walked around to the other side, whilst I stayed and enjoyed watching his facial expressions of total involvement in the music.
Loved it.
The highlight of the night was his rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. It was so good that we decided to sneak into the sold-out Saturday night second half to watch it again. This was possible because there were columns where we could stand and not be in anyone's way but still with an excellent view of the stage. As luck had it there were two box seats vacant which rendered a great view of the entire orchestra.
Amazing hardly described this experience.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow
Swan Lake - Mariinski Theatre in St Petersberg
Both of these were organised by Tony.
THEN, by sheer chance, I organised tickets for a concert at the Hanoi Opera House. The only reason I purchased tickets to this was because the opera had finished the night before and there was nothing else of interest coming up during my visit.
It was called the Yamaha Jazz Christmas Night but was an opportunity to see the Opera House and have a little light entertainment.
How wrong can one be!
We walked in, received our free program, took our seats within one minute of the orchestra appearing on stage, and settled in for what looked like a surprisingly good performance, as the 85 musicians on stage were The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. The conductor, Tetsuji Honna, was world famous so the evening became quite exciting at this point.
The program commenced with some light pieces by composer, Leroy Anderson, followed by Gershwin's American in Paris and was enthusiastically received by the audience.
We were then treated to some Duke Ellington jazz by an excellent group which included a pianist by the name of Yamashita. He is the most talented pianist I have ever seen and to be so close was perfect. Our seats did not allow us to see his hands so Tony walked around to the other side, whilst I stayed and enjoyed watching his facial expressions of total involvement in the music.
Loved it.
The highlight of the night was his rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. It was so good that we decided to sneak into the sold-out Saturday night second half to watch it again. This was possible because there were columns where we could stand and not be in anyone's way but still with an excellent view of the stage. As luck had it there were two box seats vacant which rendered a great view of the entire orchestra.
Amazing hardly described this experience.
CONCERT SUCCESS with the Old Bags
The best part about this type of concert is the audience. They are so appreciative of anyone prepared to perform.
The acts ranged from really well acted and delivered, to the very poor but enthusiastically rehearsed. One particular act had been rehearsed for a couple of months with great emphasis on the costumes and props, but the actual performance was pretty slap-stick. Everyone cheered and clapped anyway.
It was a fun afternoon and very enjoyable.
Unlike previous years when most of the girls didn't want to be involved with any kind of performing, I now have a keen and co-operative little group who are quite keen to help and participate.
The acts ranged from really well acted and delivered, to the very poor but enthusiastically rehearsed. One particular act had been rehearsed for a couple of months with great emphasis on the costumes and props, but the actual performance was pretty slap-stick. Everyone cheered and clapped anyway.
It was a fun afternoon and very enjoyable.
Unlike previous years when most of the girls didn't want to be involved with any kind of performing, I now have a keen and co-operative little group who are quite keen to help and participate.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)