Evidently it’s not uncommon to run a new show for the first time out of town to iron out any problems before it hits the harsh big City. Well this is exactly what happened last weekend with my latest Children’s Extravaganza Leonard and the Lottery Ticket. I wrote this show to be the ultimate in flexibility and although the various groups of musicians taking part in this production had all learnt their parts prior to the rehearsal at 3.30pm this was the first and only time we put it together.
Well, much to my relief it all clicked together like Lego and I had no jitters at all as we started the Overture in front of a very enthusiastic and large audience in Gilgandra in the central west of NSW. Over 150 performers from around the state took part in the production including the Sydney U3A choir and Catastrophic Winds. Local English teacher, Fiona Lambell, was a wonderful narrator and at the end of the show members of the audience were on their feet. They left the hall singing and whistling the show tunes and the next day we had the same response from the very warm audience up the road in Coonabarabran. Leonard and the Lottery Ticket is ready to take on any audiences anywhere.
The next performance will be across the Tasman in the Christchurch Town Hall where the Mayor of Christchurch will be the narrator along with the Christchurch Youth Orchestra and a choir of several hundred. Leonard is very happy.
This last weekend was funded by a grant Mark was awarded by the Conservatorium High School Association of Old Students.
One Comment
Kim Robinson said
Seeing Mark’s delight at the premiere of Leonard was yet another reminder of what a pleasure it is to play music with him.
As a member of one of Mark and Jo’s NSW regional groups, I have to say what a treat it is when they come to town. Every day is a Funday and this beginner really appreciates the enthusiasm and encouragement engendered by these two generous-spirited musicians. Every workshop, rehearsal, lesson and performance is enlivened by jokes and laughter and it’s impossible to be intimidated in this environment.
Bring on the Mungindi Music Festival!