THE
SARGENT CHRISTMAS CONCERT
ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON
12th December 2003
Review
Sargent
Cancer Care for Children Christmas Concert
A review
by Keith.
Friday
12th December, 2003. My day began at 8am when, unusually for
me, I awoke feeling fresh and raring to go. I had just over
two hours to be ready to set off on my journey to Lincoln
to meet up with Simon and Shirley. I left at 10:45am, making
sure I was serenaded by Hayley all the way. Although the weather
was somewhat miserable, nothing could put a dampener on this
special day. I arrived at Simon’s with plenty of time
to spare before we left for London to attend the Sargent Cancer
Care for Children Christmas Concert at the Royal Albert hall.
This was a first for me – I had never been to the RAH
before and have to say it really is a magnificent venue.
Our
car park space was already booked and the information said
that the gates would open at 6pm. After a little bit of fun
sorting out how to actually get to the RAH, we arrived at
the car park spot on 6. This was boding well for the coming
concert. And only more songs from Hayley could have improved
it. What she did sing – and I will cover that shortly
– was nothing less than her usual level of excellence.
The
others who took part were:
Junior
Academy Symphony Orchestra, Royal Academy of Music –
conductor Jonathan Willcocks.
Massed
Schools’ Choir (almost five hundred strong).
The
Philharmonia Chorus.
Ian
Curror – organist.
Catrin
Finch – harpist. Official harpist to HRH Prince Charles,
the Prince of Wales.
Sophie
Ellis Bextor – pop star extraordinaire.
Barney,
the purple dinosaur.
And,
of course,
Hayley
Westenra
Comperes
for the evening were:
James
Allen – the new voice of Formula 1 motor racing for ITV.
James is a patron of Sargent Cancer Care for Children.
Gigi
Morley – the face of the UK’s National Lottery draws
on BBC1
Patsy
Palmer - a star of television and theatre, probably best known
for her role in Eastenders. Patsy is a patron of Sargent Cancer
Care for Children.
The
concert was performed in the presence of HRH The Duchess of
Gloucester GCVO.
The
evening was definitely one of audience participation, as the
near capacity throng raised their voices to join in the singing
of many of the Carols. The concert opened with “O Come
All Ye Faithful” which was sung by the Choir and audience,
proving they were in fine voice and intent on enjoying a fantastic
evening. This was followed by “Ding Dong! Merrily on
High”, sung by the Philharmonia Chorus. Then we came
to the part we had gone there to see. The third song was “White
Christmas” performed by the Philharmonia Chorus and led
by Hayley. The entire audience erupted in to a roar of cheering
and applause as she was announced. It was so beautiful, it
brought tears to my eyes – and I don’t mind admitting
it. Whenever I see Hayley performing on stage, I become so
engrossed in her singing that it seems to be over almost before
she had begun. So it was with this, but now – the next
day – it is still ringing in my ears and bringing a warm
glow to my heart.
The
next piece was “Troika, from Lieutenant Kijé”
by Prokofiev, performed by the Junior Academy Symphony Orchestra.
Played beautifully by a very talented group of young people.
Following this, we had “Once in Royal David’s City”
– choir and audience. One of my favourites done as well
as the best I have ever heard. Now it was time for something
especially for the many hundreds of children present –
Barney the purple dinosaur. However, this proved so good that
the adults found it just as entertaining as the children.
Next, it was back to the choir versus audience contest with
“Jingle Bells”. Everyone gave it their all and proved
to be perfect singing together.
Now
it was back to Hayley. This time she was to give us two songs
from her Album “PURE”. The first was from her special
edition Christmas CD – “Away In A Manger” and
was so beautiful it was like sitting in front of a wave machine
delivering pure pleasure (and that’s not intended as
a play on words). This was followed by one of the finest performances
of “Pokarekare Ana” that I have seen Hayley deliver.
The audience loved every second and clearly loved our Hayley,
too.
This
brought us to an interval of 30 minutes.
After
the interval, James Allen brought his two and a half year
old son on stage in his arms and asked him if he had anything
to say to the audience. He held the microphone for the little
chap who said, very clearly, “Merry Christmas, everyone.”
That little boy brought the house down. Then, Sophie Ellis
Bextor sang two songs from her new CD. It seems that the audience
very much appreciated her performance. Personally, her music
is not to my taste so I entertained myself by replaying in
my mind Hayley’s performance from the first half. Whilst
I was doing this, my attention was drawn to the left stalls.
There was Hayley, descending the steps to the front row, where
a gentleman moved aside to let her sit. She had come down
to talk to people and sign autographs. In a matter of seconds,
she was besieged by adults and children alike wanting her
to sign their programmes. Jill had followed her down the steps
and moved to several different positions. She was taking photographs
of Hayley’s interaction with members of the audience.
Hayley was wonderful with the children, asking them their
names and listening very carefully – even if this meant
bending as far over the barrier as she could to hear the little
ones. Whatever else was said I don’t know. But, it was
quite clear that Hayley listened attentively to every word
and was smiling throughout the entire process, which must
have taken twenty minutes or more. It was obvious Hayley was
enjoying herself and, because of her way with people, she
won many more hearts last night.
Whilst
all this was going on and after Sophie Ellis Bextor had finished
her two songs, the Philharmonia Chorus sang “A Merry
Little Christmas”, again to great appreciation from the
audience. When they had finished, there was Hayley, still
signing programmes, listening carefully and laughing with
people. Proving to everyone, without even trying (she was
just being herself), how wonderful she is.
Then
it was audience versus choir contest time again with “The
Twelve Days of Christmas”. The conductor turned this
into a great fun piece in the way he divided the audience
up to sing various parts – “Five Gold Rings”
by the entire audience; “Four Calling birds” by
the audience in the right stalls and boxes; “Three French
Hens” by the audience in the arena seats (That’s
those in the middle bit); “Two Turtle Doves” by
the audience in the left stalls and boxes; “and a Partridge
in a Pear Tree” by the whole audience again. Hayley was
still signing programmes!
Next
we had Catrin Finch, harpist and the orchestra played “Crossing
the Stone” a traditional Welsh piece, which Catrin played
with great beauty – showing just how appealing the harp
can be. I was quite happy watching Hayley, who had just about
finished signing the programmes of all those who wanted her
to. She didn’t leave anyone out.
Meanwhile,
the choir and the audience were at it again with “Good
King Wenceslas”, proving they were as good as each other
AND that they were thoroughly enjoying their part in the evening’s
concert. This was followed by the near five hundred strong
children’s choir, accompanied by Catrin Finch, singing
“Silent Night”. It is notable that this choir contained
children from a number of schools and that none of them had
come together before the concert. Each school had rehearsed
the children on their own premises and the first time they
performed together was during the concert. It was perfect.
Everyone had done a fantastic job and they all deserved the
praise they were given – and the appreciation shown by
the audience.
Then
came a piece I had never heard before, the “Star Carol”.
The verses were sung by the choir and the refrain by choir
and audience. It was beautifully done and is a definite favourite
of mine now. Then we had “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”,
again by the choir and audience. This was a perfect choice
for this point in the concert. It’s a stirring, joyful
piece which picked up the tempo and increased the enjoyment
of everyone there still further. The reason it was a good
choice – the next was to be the last of the evening and
they were obviously intent on finishing on a high. Well, they
were two hours behind me; I was on a high from the moment
Hayley sang her first piece.
“We
Wish You a Merry Christmas” rounded off the evening,
being sung by the entire company, the audience and all the
presenters and guests. Hayley was in there too, with a microphone,
singing her heart out. Oh! How I wish I could have heard her
above all the others. But, what could be heard was joyous
and beautiful.
Then
it was over.
BUT.
The
best was yet to come. Before the performance, we had left
a bag at the security desk at the artists’ entrance,
to be collected later. We went back and collected the bag,
containing Christmas cards from myself and a couple of presents
and cards from Simon and Shirley. We settled in to wait for
Hayley to appear. After having been there for a while, a man
in a white shirt came up the steps and introduced himself
“Hi. I’m Steve, Hayley’s manager.” Once
again, every member of Hayley’s team was proving to be
not just the best at their job, but the best kind of people
too. We chatted to him for a few minutes and then he went
back down stairs to fetch Hayley and Jill for us.
As
Hayley was nearing the top of the steps, she looked up and
saw us. The only way I can describe this is to say her face
burst into the most gorgeous beaming smile as she greeted
us. Then Jill appeared too, with just as big and friendly
a smile. Introductions were made all round and then followed
a period of time which could only be described as a melee
as conversations were carried on with Steve, Hayley and Jill.
Initially standing a little in the background was Roger, the
newest and a most welcome addition to the Hayley Westenra
International team as UK correspondent. But, he was drawn
forward into the introductions and the conversations. Then
it was time for some photos to be taken. Once more, chaos
ruled as people were moved around and different groups and
pairings were formed. We had to be as quick as we could, the
security staff wanted to get locked up and go home. Plus,
Steve was trying to usher them to the car. I’ll tell
you why in a moment. Needless to say, there were hugs and
kisses from Hayley and Jill and genuine good wishes for the
coming holiday season.
Eventually
with all this going on, we ended up on the pavement outside
– conversations still in full swing and Jill checking
to make sure that everyone who would like one had had their
photo taken with Hayley etc., even to the extent that she
did the honours herself on more than one occasion. This short
while in her company had proved that I had been right all
along about Jill – what a wonderful person she is. So
friendly, open and communicative. What a truly beautiful family.
Finally,
the reason that Steve was keen to get them away was that they
had to go back to the apartment to pack, then they had a two
and a half hour drive ahead of them last night. This to be
followed by the fact that Hayley would be back at work by
8:00am this morning filming a video on location. As the cars
pulled away, Hayley and Jill were turned round in their seats
waving and smiling. The second car carried Steve and, as he
went, he too was smiling and gave us a wave.
As
we stood there, I asked Roger which way he was going, to which
he answered, “I don’t know – and I don’t
care, I’m floating on a cloud”. Well, it was a pretty
crowded cloud, because Simon, Shirley and myself were up there
with him.
As
we left, there was a tinge of sadness because Hayley flies
home to New Zealand on Monday. But then, I was happy about
that, too. Because it meant that the whole family would be
together for Christmas – and that’s how it should
be.
I
arrived home at 4:45am – some eighteen hours after I
had set out and a journey of nearly six hundred miles. VERY
tired, but very happy indeed.
Have
a safe trip Hayley and Jill. Have a very merry Christmas and
a happy, peaceful and incredibly successful 2004. Meanwhile,
I will console myself with the fact that I already have my
ticket for next year. I am going to the concert on 21st March
in Llandudno. And that’s only fourteen weeks away now.
Keith.
13/12/03
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