Video: At the End of the World

Here’s a little something that I’m sure all of the card-carrying members of the Michael Grant fanclub (and maybe some of the non-card-carrying as well) will enjoy. It’s a clip from Saturday’s gala with the Welsh Musical Theatre Orchestra, in which Broadway star Wade McCollum sings ‘At the End of the World’ from new musical ‘It Happened in Key West’ (soon to be opening at London’s Charing Cross Theatre)…
 

[EDIT: Sadly it seems this particular video is no longer available! Oh dear. But if you’d like to listen to the song anyway (without me in it), here’s the recording from the London production… – MG, 4/4/23]

 

‘Copacabanana’ in Southend – 9th to 12th May

Last week’s run of Sweeney Todd has inspired me to go on a little excursion, and spend this week down ‘By the Sea’! So I’ll be heading off to Copacabana to play in a musical about Southend-on-Sea. Wait… Strike that – reverse it. The point is, I’ll be joining Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society to play flute, clari and tenor saxofoam for this celebration of all things Barry Manilow:

Copacabana
Wednesday 9th May – Saturday 12th May
7:30, with 2:30 matinees on 10th and 12th
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9LA
For further information, click here.
 

 
Note that I’m sharing this production with the inimitable Tracy James, who will be holding down the Reed 3 chair on 11th and 12th while I’m away gallivanting in the North.

Sweeney Todd, in Stockwell – 2nd to 6th May

This week’s adventure takes me to Stockwell, where I’ll be attending the tale of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Wandsworth Road. I’ll be playing the shrill combination of piccolo, flute, Bb clarinet and (for 4 bars only!) Eb clarinet. Do make an effort to attend if you can – yesterday’s sitzprobe sounded pretty darn gooood.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Wednesday 2nd May – Sunday 6th May
7:30, with 3:00 matinees on 5th and 6th
Stockwell Playhouse, London, SW8 2JU
For further information, click here.
 

‘Kiss Me, Kate’ in Southend – 18th to 21st April

You’ll never guess what I’m doing this week!

Oh wait, maybe the title of this post was something of a spoiler… Never mind. If you happen to find yourself in the appropriate vicinity, do come along to see what I’m sure will be a marvellous production from Southend Operatic & Dramatic Society (abbreviate at your own risk). I’ll be hiding away under the stage playing a combination of flute, clarinet, tenor saxomophone and The Instrument That Must Not Be Named.

Kiss Me, Kate
Wednesday 18th April – Saturday 21st April
7:30, with 2:30 matinees on 19th and 21st
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9LA
For further information, click here.
 

Guys and Dolls, in York

Another month, another musical… This time it’s the classic Guys and Dolls, which is being performed by York Light Opera Company over the coming fortnight. Come along to see some singers and some dancers and some actors, and to hear some musicians (including myself tootling away on clarinet and tenor saxomophone)!

Guys and Dolls
Wednesday 7th March – Saturday 17th March (no show on 11th)
7:30, with 2:30 matinees on 10th and 17th
York Theatre Royal, YO1 7HD
For further information, click here.
 

The Sandside Orchestra, tomorrow!

The Sandside Orchestra
Saturday 3rd March
7:00
Westborough Methodist Church, Scarborough
scarboroughcommunitychoir.wordpress.com/welcome-to-our-choir/latest-news

It’s that time of year again – time to get yourself down to Westborough Methodist Church in Scarborough for yet more fun and games with The Sandside Orchestra and Scarborough Community Choir! This year it’s another programme full of gems, including folk favourites such as ‘Dance to your Daddy’, classical classics such as Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (mvmt. 1) and theatrical theatrics from new musical ‘Rock On, Henry’! Worth braving the cold for, if you ask me.

And now, to send you on your way, here’s some bassoon banter:
 

Seussical in Woking

I like to future-proof this blog, so here is a post for a day yet to come, when I assume somebody will have invented a time machine. Said time machine will enable them to go back and watch The Sundowners’ production of Seussical, which I have been playing for in Woking this week, on the majestic combination of flute, clarinet, bassoon and baritone saxophone. Here are all the details you’ll need to set your coordinates accordingly:

Seussical
Thursday 15th February – Saturday 17th February
7:45, with 2:45 matinee on 17th
Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking, GU21 6GQ
For further information, click here.
 

 
If you do choose to go back in time, make sure you come and say hello to me in the interval, so that I know this blog post has worked.

I assume (by the fact that nobody seems to have taken me up on that offer) that time travel will never be possible. Or, at any rate, future generations of time travellers will be uninterested in quality amateur theatre. What a sad thought. : (

Betty Blue Eyes, in Hornchurch

Hi there music fans!

Have you always wanted to visit Hornchurch but have never had a convenient excuse? Well here’s one for you now, because from 7th to 10th February Shenfield Operatic Society will be performing Betty Blue Eyes at the Queen’s Theatre. What’s more, I’ll be joining them to play flute, clarinet, alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. Do come along for what I’m sure will be a marvellous evening! Or afternoon.

Betty Blue Eyes
Wednesday 7th February – Saturday 10th February
7:30, with 2:30 matinee on 10th
The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT
For further information, click here.
 

The Sam Jewison Orchestra at The Jazz Cafe, this Tuesday

If you’re a big fan of The Sam Jewion Orchestra then, well… I suppose you’ve no need to read this because you’ll be aware of it already.

For the rest of the population, though, I’d like to point out that this coming Tuesday (16th) I shall be joining this motley crew for another wild performance at The Jazz Café in Camden! If past occasions are anything to go by, it’ll be a night to remember, with lots of microphones and strobe lighting and (of course) high-quality big band swing.

Book yourself a ticket before it’s too late, and join us in a celebration of Broadway and that American Songbook we so affectionately call Great!
 

 
Further information here: thejazzcafelondon.com/event/on-broadway

and here: www.facebook.com/samjewisonorchestra

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And now, for some celebratory bread: 🍞