Parish of Mickleham - Singing in the Reign Encore, Saturday 7th September 2002

Last year I somewhat reluctantly packed my clarinet away and exchanged my place with the Moonlighters band for the role of co-producer of the Mickleham summer concerts. I now find myself worrying about the stage and lighting rather than some tricky clarinet piece. Also the actual stage management on the night has been run by my son Steven which has put me in the slightly unusual position of parent attempting to supervise twenty-two-year-old offspring, much more challenging than simply playing the clarinet.

It seemed as though we had only just recovered from the July concert when suddenly it was September and we were off again with the encore of this year's concert Singing in the Reign. The programme was changed a little to fix those few areas that had not quite worked in July and to accommodate the new soloist Roy Phillips who most generously agreed to replace John Stevens who was not available for the Encore.

And it went wonderfully well. The Moonlighters, brilliant as always, probably turned in their best performance ever. The St Michael's Singers, from a magical opening with Crown Imperial March right through to Who Do You Think You Are Kidding at the end, were superb. They were good in July but technically the Encore was their best yet. And the soloists - what can one say. I particularly remember Ian Parkin (Polly) having to deliberately sing out of tune in A Word on My Ear, the haunting tones of Juliet Hornby's Ave Maria, the sadness of The Picture, the sultry Joanna Batt regretting the Man That Got Away, Penny Davies as the exuberant Girl Who Can't Say No, the wonderful comedienne Gina Batt Ringing Them Bells and the deep, deep down there Old Man River Roy Phillips. And there was so much more. The Musical Director Chris Pratt and the incomparable John Batt between them created a memorable show.

There was nearly a serious glitch right at the end of the show. A surprise presentation to John Batt had been planned. It was to be triggered by me interrupting John's concluding speech using a microphone from the darkness at the back of the hall. Imagine my reaction as I am sitting there waiting for the right moment to speak when I hear John unexpectedly asking me to come to the stage to take a bow. It was a race to get there and back in time. The co-producers now have a pact of no more surprises.

The presentation to John marked nine years of extraordinary effort and creativity that he has brought to the Mickleham summer concerts and, as I found on the night, there are no words to adequately describe what John has achieved. With my churchwarden's hat on I would like to express my thanks on behalf of St Michael's Church to John and to all those who made Singing in the Reign such a success. The final figures show that this year's two summer concerts raised over £6,500. This money goes to the Church and we are extremely grateful for that, but it is about more than just money. The fun, the hard work and at the end the satisfaction that we all share make these events so special for Mickleham and Westhumble. Thank you all.
John Banfield

Review of Mickleham Summer Concert 2002
Singing in the Reign, Saturday 22nd July

As usual the 250-strong audience for this year's summer concert arrived in time to enjoy drinks and lively conversation on the lawn of Box Hill School before curtain up. Although a warm evening, the sky was overcast causing a slight air of anxiety in addition to the usual buzz of excitement.

Singing in the Reign, the ninth summer concert produced by John Batt to raise money for St Michael's Church, had been devised to honour Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee. John had included a wide range of music for band, chorus, and soloists. Two pages of the concert programme were taken up with the 'Whys and wherefores' for the choice of music. John himself admits that some of the links were a bit tenuous but 'every piece has definitely been performed during Queen Elizabeth II's fifty-year reign'.

Soon it was time to move inside where The Moonlighters band struck up the overture Crown Imperial. Christopher Pratt, this year's energetic new musical director had also provided some of the arrangements for the show. He had ingeniously fitted the words of the 150th psalm to Walton's stirring march, sung by St Michael's Singers. Sherree Valentine-Daines' backdrop wittily depicted 'Singing in the Reign' with musical notes raining down on golden crowns floating in puddles. The gals of the chorus continued the black and gold theme, wearing all black with golden garter sashes and large shiny 'gongs'.

I was Glad and I vow to thee my Country were followed by Ian Parkin (Polly)'s first appearance. Since last year's show he has become quite busy and is now part of the resident band on television's Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. Polly delighted us with Mad Dogs and Englishmen à la Noel Coward, with a few embellishments. Such is Polly's professionalism that afterwards people were heard asking 'Did he really forget the words or was that part of the act?'

Over the years audiences have come to expect very a high standard of music from the soloists in our concerts and they were not disappointed. Juliet Hornby's lovely soprano voice is always a delight. This year she sang Caccini's Ave Maria, unfamiliar to many. Its high haunting, ethereal theme is quite lovely. John Stevens gave us This nearly was mine, from South Pacific, and Ol' Man River, from Showboat', which superbly suited his rich baritone voice. Penny Davies looked the perfect nanny in brown suit and lace-up shoes for her spirited rendition of Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace. Joanna and Gina Batt joined Polly for All that Jazz and later a poignant number The Picture. Polly, backed by band and chorus, provided a change of mood with Cabaret. Joanna had been billed to do this number, but as she recently fell and broke a rib she found Cabaret 'too much of a sing'.

John had chosen a very dramatic finale for the first act: Non Nobis Domine was composed for Kenneth Brannagh's film 'Henry V'. It started with single voice - Polly's; then the tenors joined in, followed in time by the other singers and the band. This number was the definite favourite with the singers, but we were disappointed to learn that in some parts of the hall we could not be heard very well. The Moonlighters make a brilliant sound, but with 14 instruments it's sometimes a matter of 'too much of a good thing'. The problem is, so we're told, that a lively trumpet line cannot be played quietly. The sound engineers will try to improve the balance for the encore in September.

Soon after the overture the heavens had opened - were we going to be eating in the rain? Luckily it had stopped by the time the interval arrived (we understand David Ireland had been putting in a word or two on our behalf during Act 1) and as we left the hall we discovered it was again a fine evening. In the twilight we could see twinkling candles surrounded by bejewelled golden crowns which decorated the food-laden tables under gazebos. The many cooks who provide the delicacies for the buffet supper had excelled themselves this year. The audience, entertainers and backstage crew enjoyed a convivial and gastronomic interval - unfortunately there never seems to be enough of the scrumptious puds especially the strawberries dipped in chocolate and tiny fruit tarts. Perhaps the strategy is to stand near the kitchen door...

Elgar's Song of Liberty, based on his Pomp and Circumstance March No 4, opened the second act, which was followed by Singing in the Rain - of course this had to be included. Penny returned with I cain't say no from Oklahoma - a complete contrast from the proper English nanny from Act 1, including a very authentic homesteader's accent. Juliet and Polly sang People will say we're in love, also from Oklahoma. Then by popular request, John Stevens repeated Bring him home from Les Miserables, a highlight of last year's concert. For her solo spot in the second act Juliet sang two traditional favourites - Annie Laurie and The Londonderry Air.

On a lighter note, Gina and Polly gave us Let's do it with Cole Porter's words adapted to the local scene by Mo Chisman. (It was reassuring to know that the PCC and even Mole Valley Councillors do it!) Gina provided a brilliant comedy turn with Ring them Bells and Polly amazed us with his off-key singing (not easy to do with such panache) in Flanders and Swann's A Word on my Ear. Joanna returned with a sultry The Man that Got Away.

The show ended with A Tribute to the Armed Forces of the Crown. This included: for the Royal Navy, Drake's Drum with John Stevens and the Company; for the Army, a lively medley of the theme song from Dad's Army, Colonel Bogey and the British Grenadiers; and for the Royal Air Force Lords of the Air, with a voiceover by Gina. A reprise of the 'Dad's Army' medley signalled the time for bows, bouquets, bottles and thank you speeches, including a confession and mega-grovel from John Batt who had omitted to mention our hard-working treasurer and ticket supremo, Mary Banfield in his programme acknowledgements.
It takes an amazing amount of time and effort to put together such a show. Once again John Batt has provided villagers and their friends with a highly entertaining and successful evening, and in the process raised over £3,700 for St Michael's Church. Many thanks, John.