A review of a wonderful evening I had on Saturday - enjoy friends and come on down to a Blake concert and see whether you enjoy as much. It’s always an exciting time going to a Blake concert but this week’s concert was something extra special. I had been thinking about what was going to happen for some time but wasn’t quite sure how to go about organising it all. However, as you will see, all worked out very well and there are some wonderful people to thank for making the event such a “Beautiful Night” for a couple of very special ladies. As you’ve all probably worked out by now, I love to write a review and invite the people who are unable to come to join in with us and enjoy the concerts too so I hope you can by now pick up on the excitement I was feeling as I prepared to go on Saturday. By one means or another, we had an extra ticket, so Elizabeth Laura Abrey was invited to come along at the very last minute. As she’s a great Blake fan and we had such an extraordinary time at Glow, Bluewater together recently, it was a pleasure to be able to work out how to get her there and by fair means and foul, our day began by my husband driving us to Stansted to find Libby. Well – did our day start there? – no it certainly didn’t, so ……. Sharon Bate has become a very good friend through our shared love of Blake and many other things as we have since found out and she is now more like a sister than a friend. I’ve been adopted by her family and its lovely having an extended family with whom to share ideas, thoughts and time. I knew Sharon was going to be facing a very tough time over the next few months with a scheduled operation and the recovery period which was going to stop her from attending any concerts for some long months to come as any travel for more than half an hour is prohibited along with sitting in one position for any length of time. I wanted Sharon to have the wonderful and very personal experience I shared with Libby, so I emailed a member of Blake management and asked them whether something could be arranged, apologising for the very short notice, for Saturday evening. Management, along with the boys, came up trumps and I am thrilled that Sharon is still beaming from her Saturday night out. I have to add here that Sharon knew nothing about this until she was approached at the interval by one of the theatre staff and asked to follow them. I also knew that one other could go with Sharon and having had the experience myself (although fighting with my inner being as I would have loved to have seen her face when greeted by Stephen, Humphrey and Ollie) and knowing that Nicola Green was going to be sitting next to her, thought that it would be a really special moment for Nicola too, so that was all set in motion. I then added in another little something – let’s dress in red, white and blue and take the flags we have at home for Summer Proms and use them at the very end. Then added in was another idea – put on some scarves when the boys start to sing “God Only Knows”. I have to apologise for not letting everyone in on this as I knew that once I started, I might not be able to contain myself and keep the surprise a secret so there were limited people in on my request to dress in red, white and blue where possible. The flags came about from going to the one outdoor concert this year with the boys at The South Lodge Hotel where we were asked to wave the flags at the very end as we sang. So – all my fault I’m afraid – I guess I was in a mischievous mood last week. Now that is the background and having spent some time out in the garden during the day, I flicked a glance at our clock and had a mild panic – rushed upstairs to shower and get ready thinking I only had a half hour (not enough time for a lady at all), had just jumped out of the shower when Steve shouted up to me, I was an hour ahead of myself, I’d mistaken the time. What a relief as it as a very warm day, so I could relax and take my time. However, I knew Libby would be anxiously waiting at Stansted for us and I didn’t want her to be there too long so I rushed Steve along and by 3.30 we were on our way. Libby had text to say she had managed an earlier train and was there and despite what I thought were reasonably clear instructions we could not find her, but instead found that there was an airport security camera where we had arranged to meet. However, after three times around the circuit, we had Libby safely in the car and sitting back and enjoying the drive through countryside she had not seen. Before we knew it we were cruising around a roundabout and there in front of us was the sign for The Stables. It was no mean feat to hold us back from running into theatre and I can’t tell you how pleased I was to see Sharon (who had also been into sound check by invitation), Nicola and a few familiar faces, one in particular – Humphrey Berney as he was the key to another surprise I had up my sleeve. I managed to draw Humphrey to one side and passed him an envelope, which was later given to Libby – a minute scrapbook, signed personally by all three young men, which recorded her Glow experience and her write up in the Daily Mail after an off the cuff comment made to a reporter on her tattooes. I was later able to pop down to the dressing room to retrieve this and present to Libby who was speechless most of the way home! Anyway, with all these surprises ongoing I was really on a high – I love making other people happy and I knew this was going to be an evening to surpass anything Sharon had previously had so it was a big hug and then onto thinking about setting up the merchandise, which I really needed to do with her as I was going to replace her in the interval (of which, of course she wasn’t aware). Anyway, soon time to go in for our meal and we all sat down together at a long table to enjoy our pre-ordered meals. I also managed to swop the designated seats Steve and I had for the two right next to Sharon and Nicola which was critical to the plan so thank you for swopping those seats for me. Dinner over, merchandise set up, Jamie, Sharon’s son sitting happily finding himself something to do selling the CD’s, the clock hands were at 7.55 and it was time to find our seats. The Theatre is a lovely intimate venue for a Blake concert – the seating area sits in a ‘U’ shape around the stage and from the front row, we were easily visible to all on stage and almost on a level, only two steps up separating us. Then Martin appeared on stage, removed the microphones from their stands and we knew we were about to witness the last of the summer concerts and it was going to be a very special magical evening as the strains of “Make you Feel My Love” echoed and were absorbed by a full house with standing room only, not a ticket spare. Not a sound was heard from the audience and when the boys appeared from back stage, the applause echoed and re-echoed and then we settled down to be enthralled as always. For my husband, Steve, it was a first to be sitting in the front row as we never choose to sit here, always thinking the sound is better further back. However, as I’ve learnt from Glow and The Hippodrome, seeing the boys closer up is such an enlightening experience and one which is incredibly hard to describe and draw the reader into the emotion. However many times I’ve been to Blake concerts this year, it never fails to move me so much more when there is some understanding of what this year has meant to the three young men, who faultlessly carry us all away on each note, to a place individual to each and every one of us. To have gone from four to three without very much notice has been hard work – probably a real understatement but fact. There in the faces before us we see reflected emotion after emotion – happiness, smiles, laughter, passion and most of all a deep and utter joy and contentment in the “jobs” they have chosen in their lives. The interaction between the three never fails to amuse the audience but the passion is best observed from the front row. You can see the strain, the intake of every breath, feel the heat as lights leave Ollie reaching for his water bottle to try to cool down, the very effort it takes to focus and perform under such warm conditions. I was hot in a sleeveless tunic top – I could not imagine what performing in a three piece suit would be like – unbearable - but sometimes a discreet wiping of a cheek is the only indication of the heat the boys are feeling. Notes pour forth from voices trained to perform but nothing matches the passion that each of the three put into every song, whether sung a 100 times before or for a first time. Liquid gold flows over the Blake boys’ audience and captivates us all. Who knows what individual private thoughts are conjured up by the rise and fall of music soaring around us but I can only say, despite having been to numerous performances this year, not all intended, I am still moved, still transported, still impressed immensely by these three young men and what they give, what I can see and feel. For all the outdoor concerts and theatre trips I’ve had this year, numerous as they are and with different artistes, I can only say that sitting in the front row with those three men performing is magical, surreal and enchants the inner depths of my soul and will remain cherished memories throughout the coming months. There are the odd funny occasions, perhaps missed by some, picked up by others, when lighting technicians forget to put the spotlight on Humphrey when he begins his solo part, but all these things add to the wonderful atmosphere these young men create. Interaction on Saturday, not only with the front few rows but also with the rows to the sides of the stage and I can only say it makes each and every one of us interacted with, feel divinely special. The little wink, that little glance – an acknowledgement that we, the audience, are special to these performers and they certainly let us all know that, one way or another, so I cannot see how you could be failed to be captivated by sitting through a Blake concert, but then I suspect I am biased to a degree. So along with Nessum Dorma comes a real sense of anticipation for me – will the plan work? I am so thankful when, very promptly, the theatre staff approach and ask “Are you Sharon Bate – can you please follow me”. This is my cue to promptly leave the theatre after instructing Nicola who is in a state of shock, to take her camera with her. Sharon still had hers in her hand so I didn’t worry on that score. I can hear Nicola asking Sharon “What have you done” and Sharon’s reply with “Nothing – I don’t know what’s going on”. I can only smile! In the foyer, with the table set up, the CD’s are selling like hotcakes and I take over from Jamie to give him a short break. My mind is elsewhere as the reader can imagine – wondering how both Sharon and Nicola are feeling. The 2 minute call over the tannoy lures me back to my seat and then the two reprobates appear from side stage absolutely beaming. There are tears of happiness at the experience they have just had and Sharon is sporting a long cool glass of Bucks Fizz, which I note disappears fairly rapidly. I later learn that thanks to Ollie Baines, she now has a taste for very good champagne – a hard act to follow boys! You’ve spoiled her now! “With or Without You” sets the scene for the 2nd half of the performance and settling back I can just concentrate on the music, the stage scene in front of me as we are carried from romance and classical settings to pop, utterly seamlessly with of course the banter between. For me, with the screen playing in the background, “Bring Him Home” never fails to draw tears to my eyes as I can see in my mind many scenes from visits to Belgium and Normandy. My mind travels to museums we have visited and to scenes from recent wars in Afghanistan and others where so many people lost their lives. It was always the song I associated with my father, who I lost just over five years ago, as I played this Blake track many times after he died. Bringing him home had another meaning for me. Emotion rides high during this song and I cannot watch the boys as they sing – I can only focus on the screen and the poppies behind them, occasionally stealing a glance at Humphrey as the feelings pour from his lips. As each of the others join in, I just get the feeling that they too have scenes playing through their minds, each of them are remembering things they have seen and done and as Humphrey made his announcement prior to singing this, that they were going to be more involved with a military organisation in the future, I wonder what and how? The mood is soon lifted as O, Mio Babbino Caro’s strains move through the theatre, remembering perfomances where our beautiful Natalie Coyle sang this song. The mood switches even more as Marty begins to sort out his “instruments” for “God Only Knows”. This is my cue to lift my scarf around my neck, pass to Sharon and Nicola a tambourine each as quietly as I can, until we realise Martin has forgotten his scarf. This is quickly sorted as Sharon tosses her borrowed red one onto the stage and Martin laughingly looks at it – raises his eyes and dons it, well sort of dons it around his neck. Thank goodness for extra props! We receive a “ssh” and a finger to lips from Humphrey as the tambourines rattle a little and silent once again, we allow the music to carry us along…… until the end where no chance, boys, we were going to be joining in and our three tambourines play a little chorus with Martin at the end. Ollie comments that he didn’t expect an extra orchestra but then how we love the little surprises! Before we know it the evening is drawing to a close and Humphrey is telling us that they are almost at the end and with “Time to Say Goodbye’s” opening notes flowing through us all, a chorus of groans and “No’s” is heard above them. Far too soon “Up Where We Belong” lets us know it is at an end and despite bows, we won’t allow the boys to leave the stage as yet. “Just One More?” is the question on Humphrey’s lips and to an avid chorus of “Yes” the notes of “Jerusalem” have me reaching in the bag of magic tricks for the Union Jacks which are waved as we sing along with the boys. I have to add in here and I know this is a review from me of Blake but also to mention the wonderful Alive and Singing Choir. I was enraptured just sitting watching the couple of ladies to the right of the stage – one very young, one not so young. The expressions of utter wonder and joy on their faces as they stood on stage, smiling, singing their hearts out was a wonder to behold and was not lost on me. Steve later told me that he had gone up to the elder of the ladies and chatted to her after the concert, telling her how much we both appreciated the choir and she simply told him – “I can’t see the audience so I just go out there, smile and sing my heart out – it’s what I love to do”. How wonderful is that? We purchased the CD later in the evening and had the pleasure and joy of listening to that on our long day in Norfolk on Sunday – it’s truly beautiful and makes me want to join a choir once again and sing. I remember the elation and the joy that singing brought to me. Who knows – maybe my joking comment to Sharon earlier this year – “how about a Blakette Choir?” might come to fruition one day! Leaving the auditorium, we stop and speak to the staff member who ushered Nicola and Sharon to the dressing room in the interval and he tells us that very few people have ever been back stage at The Stables. This makes Sharon beam even more and me glow as I know her experience will be something that will carry her through the next few months of operation and recovery. She will not mind me sharing with you that Saturday evening is going to be a very special memory for her and that when the pain and discomfort set it, she can focus on tonight and lift herself up. Nicola was overjoyed when, entering the foyer, the same staff member thoughtfully handed her the running sheet which she managed to have the boys sign. What a souvenir! What a “Beautiful Night”. It was only left then to complete my final surprise and pass to Libby her little scrapbook of her Glowing Night and allow Steve to drive us home along darkened motorways, deliver Libby to her door to spend the rest of her weekend in contemplation and be very thankful for the wonderful friends I have made through Blake. It was a night to remember and cherish.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 13:47:31 +0000
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