‘DIVAS AND DELIGHTS’ AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT ENJOYED BY MANY

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

‘DIVAS AND DELIGHTS’ AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT ENJOYED BY MANY

The silhouette of a string ensemble appeared on stage at the Somerset Civic Centre on the evening of 27^th August. However, had this aberration been an actuality, the entertainment could not have been heightened by this any more than it was when Alexis FitzGerald OAM and members of the Esk Community Choir came together to present a musical gala, ‘Divas and Delights’.

While the stage morphed into the dazzling Cabaret style ‘Lexicon Club’, the auditorium was the antithesis, epitomizing the black-tie-and-tails elegance of yesteryear and, as the Ladies in Red indicated ‘right this way your table’s waiting’, the smart, snappy, and stylish concert goers, each fortified by a glass of something bubbly, watched the curtain part, this audience from the outset left in no doubt of the theme this evening was about to take

Nola, Mikaela and Judith

One could be forgiven for doing a doubletake when Eric von Nida, as ‘Cabaret’ Master of Ceremonies popped his head around the curtain for a Joel Gray doppelganger to welcome one and all as only Eric can do; then to be followed by Grace Crichton, surely the clone of ‘Cabaret’s’ Sally Bowles and together with the three sassy showgirls, literally kick-started the entertainment with poise and pizzazz.

Eric, Kathie, Sue, Helene and Grace

Amid the serving of some gastronomic supper delights by the diligent workers from the kitchen, patrons were treated to performances of songs from Musical Theatre, all much- loved through the generations to famed arias from Operas by Bizet and Verdi; an outstanding instrumental from ‘Carmen’ with piano and flutes; comical songs by Flanders and Swann and Irving Berlin and another, its lyrics and music still loved and recognized since the 18^th century, and Carole Bayer Sager/David Foster’s ‘The Prayer’. A song released in 2003, on this day sung in duet, covered by many, adored by all.

Ruth and Denis

In a finale which embodied the evening’s essence, the entire troupe of the choir’s performers in blue, gathered on stage for the singing of Billy Hill’s ‘The Glory of Love’ and with concert-goers sated and still seated having thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment, Jules Styne’s ‘The Party’s Over’ seemed apt.

The Party's Over

Pity the poor accompanist, condemned to sit in the shadow of the great voices and the even greater egos of today’s singers, the lament by veteran British accompanist Roger Vignoles in his hilarious song ‘The Battle Hymn of the Accompanist’. However, notwithstanding those great voices, perhaps an ego or two, and so many wonderful performances on this day, it must be said that the true unsung hero de jour was that grand lady who sat at the Civic Centre’s grand piano who, note for complicated note, called the tunes on every page in every single way; whose gift of music knows no bounds. To Alexis, goes so much gratitude for her patience, encouragement, time, and artistry – any mistakes were definitely ours.

By: Sue Walker