Fascinating Rhythm - 10th Annual Summer Concert, 19/20 July 2003

While slowly making my way towards the crowded exit at the interval of the concert, I overheard two separate groups asking ‘How does this small village produce such talent?’ and it really struck me that we almost take the quality of these productions for granted, concerts that we have enjoyed every year since 1993 – 10 years. Then I thought of John Batt’s commitment and talents, of the chorus of 40, the orchestra of 14, a series of professional conductors and arrangers, a support team of perhaps 30 and of course the two Johns (Batt & Banfield) in charge of production. What a resource! What a village!

This concert topped them all, that’s clear. It’s not every day that you hear a live performance of Rhapsody in Blue. Becky Thomson played it beautifully following on from a virtuoso performance of Got a Little Rhythm a clever arrangement by Musical Director Alan Gout of two Gershwin tunes I got Rhythm and Fascinating Rhythm. The entire show moved so smoothly that it was over far too quickly.

The first act started with a panache that set the pace of the entire concert. The rhythm and blues excerpts from Cabaret were handled with style by Ian Parkin, Sally Tremaine and Joanna Batt with full support from St Michael’s Singers. The piano solo kept the rhythm going, to be picked up by Gina Batt, Ian Parkin and Joanna Batt singing All That Jazz from Chicago. The deep rich voice of John Stevens changed the mood with I Got Plenty of Nothing from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and brought a tear to an eye or two with the traditional Were you there when they crucified my Lord. John Batt had quite deservedly included some of his favourites from previous shows and we now enjoyed three in a row, the Derek Barnes arrangement of the Beatles hit Yesterday, evocatively sung by the St.Michael’s Singers, who followed on with Penny Davies as My Fair Lady in the well-remembered Wouldn’t it be Luverly. Alan Gout then accompanied Sally Tremaine in a haunting rendition of Alfie.

The first half ended with some of the great songs from the shows. Gina belted out Broadway Baby with gusto; Joanna built her Stairway to Paradise which led into an arrangement by Derek Barnes of Somewhere over the Rainbow sung by Ian and the chorus with the orchestra bringing it to a sparkling close.

The second act started with three excerpts from West Side Story arranged by Alan Gout. Once again we were treated to the rich depth of John Stevens’ voice in Tonight, followed by One Hand One Heart sung by the St Michael’s Singers and an exhilarating performance of I Want to be in America sung by Sally Tremaine and the gals of the chorus. Penny Davies than made us all smile with her happy version of I Enjoy Being A Girl.

With Gershwin’s music one of the underlying themes of the concert, Rhapsody in Blue was eagerly awaited and we were not disappointed. For about 13 minutes we thrilled to the drama of this unique concerto, powerfully performed by Becky Thomson accompanied by the Moonlighters in a brilliant arrangement by Alan Gout. Why it didn’t earn a standing ovation I don’t understand.

After the drama came the humorous Downtown sung by Ian and Gina, with novel lyrics by Sherman and Parkin, and the stirring You’ll Never Walk Alone by Sally together with the St Michael’s Singers. John Stevens then sang the old Al Jolson/Gershwin hit Swanee to an arrangement by Alan Gout. This was followed by Joanna Batt singing a sad song The Man that Got Away, but we were quickly cheered up by Ian and Gina inducing the entire audience to sing You’re Just In Love in two (competing) parts.

Ian and Gina’s duets provided just the right touch of humour in the programme. However the best laughs came from John Batt who sparkled with his rather whimsical humour, in his element compering the show and reintroducing his old friend the teddy bear, star of the 1993 Teddy Bears’ Picnic. With the ‘Fascinating Rhythm’ theme it was not surprising that the concert finished with Ian, the St Michael’s Singers and the Moonlighters belting out Rhythm of Life, bringing the performance to a resounding finale. We could have done with more but the clocks had beaten us.

For his tenth Summer Concert, John had devised a light-hearted reprise of favourites from his previous shows. The stars were the seven soloists, the Musical Director, the St Michael’s Singers, the Moonlighters and of course John himself. We do not know what next year will bring, but thank you John and the entire ensemble for another Fascinating Rhythmic concert. Fred Duffy

Fascinating Rhythm 2 A Family Affair Sunday afternoon’s concert brought a very different atmosphere to the event, with a number of young people joining their parents for a family occasion. Some of the performers looked on anxiously as the front rows filled up with children, and the prospect of competition from the audience loomed large.

Such fears were unfounded  thanks in large part to John Batt’s compering which lost its ‘adult humour’ and became very child friendly. ‘Batt’s Guide to the Band’ was a classic, with the Moonlighters rising splendidly to the challenge, and John’s friendly bear clearly won over any children still wondering if this event was for them. As one child was heard to remark, ‘Mr Batt would make a lovely teddy!’

The youthful enthusiasm of the audience seemed to affect everyone’s performance and the programme flowed along with great good humour. John Stevens’ voice clearly mesmerised the audience. The reviewer found himself quizzed by his wife who asked, ‘Surely you’re a bass, why don’t you sound like that?’

Other soloists introduced our young people to shows they had never heard of with such enthusiasm and spirit that some of the tunes were to be heard being hummed as the first half ended and everyone headed out for their picnics.

If the saying ‘the sun shines on the righteous’ is to be believed, then there are a lot of righteous (not self-righteous) folk in Mickleham. It was a beautiful summer’s evening, and the lawn outside the hall was soon a mass of picnic rugs and hampers as groups tucked into their fare. Prizes should have been awarded for ‘best picnic of the show’ as there were some real winners. Indeed, I have heard that some found the 45-minute interval too short for their Glyndebourne-standard feast. Content and replete the audience re-assembled for the second half which seemed to build to a crescendo as each number built on the professionalism and rhythm of the previous one. Even the longest number of the programme, Rhapsody in Blue was played with such brilliance by Becky Thomson that the younger members of the audience remained glued to their seats in sheer fascination.

Suddenly Rhythm of Life was upon us, so quickly in fact that some basses did not have their music ready as it began! The final applause said it all, not least of all for Alan Gout whose musical ability and good humour had brought the programme to life and given it a rhythm which hopefully will inspire others in years to come. David Ireland

PS Photographs of the evening’s performers can be found in the photography section of Andrew Tatham’s website: www.andrewtatham.co.uk

BSA writes… over the past ten years John Batt has shared his gifts, skills, interests and time with us and provided immense fun too. The concerts have created a remarkable community spirit in Mickleham. In addition John and the concert committee along with the performers, singers, musicians, cooks and support staff have made a tremendously significant contribution towards church funds. The two Fascinating Rhythm concerts raised £9,600, bringing the total amount raised for St Michael’s since 1993 to an amazing £54,000!

Thanks, John - again, an inadequately expressed appreciation to you from us, the beneficiaries of it all, acknowledging that the true reward for you has been in the knowledge of a valued task done well.

Fascinating Rhythm - 10th Annual Summer Concert in aid of St Michael’s Church
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July
Becky Thomson is the pianist in residence at The Worshipful Company of Barbers, and I am willing to bet a fistful of euros that not many of you knew that! Pick up the parish magazine at any time and you learn something entirely new! Duk Kyu Kim has been asked to go to Korea for an important family event in July and his place, as our guest artist, has been taken by Becky, who is a distinguished and accomplished pianist at the beginning of what I know will be a big career on the concert platform. She has performed at the Docklands & Greenwich Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe and The Schubert Society of Great Britain. She will be playing Rhapsody in Blue, which she has just performed with full orchestra, and in our opening piece Fascinating/I Got Rhythm.

Our choir rehearsals begin in earnest on 19th June at 7.45 p.m. at the village hall in Dell Close, and every following Thursday at the same time. Singing with others is one of life’s most surprising joys. Until you’ve tried it you don’t know what you are missing. And Alan Gout is not only one of the most delightful people to work with, he is a master at training amateur choirs, something he does with great distinction every year at the Dartington Hall Summer Music School. So, if you like singing, please just turn up, with your voice, on 19th. You will receive a big welcome.

As a taste of things-to-come, why not tune in to BBC 1 on a Friday night, to enjoy our very own Ian (Polly) Parkin in the Jonathan Ross Show. Sally Tremaine, an exciting professional mezzo, is joining us this year for the first time. Our other soloists, Gina Batt, John Stevens, Joanna Batt and Penny Davies are in fine voice and practising like mad.

The programme of music is really very exciting this year, tailor-made for what we now know our audience likes. Tickets for the Saturday 19th July are £18 including the best finger buffet you have ever tasted, and on the Sunday – bring your own picnic £12 with children under 13 at half price. Tickets are selling fast so please contact Mary Banfield on 01372 373912 or Rose’s Stores, Mickleham for tickets.

The concerts are most generously sponsored by Knight Frank International Estate Agents and the Beaverbrook Foundation.
John Batt