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Programme cover |
Three of our dedicated members traveled to
Swansea and each provided us with a wonderful report. Please find
UKMark's,
Natasha's and
Welsh Marty's report below.
Charlotte at the Swansea Grand
By UKMark
It's been more years than I
care to mention, since the last time I was in Swansea. I
grew up in Swansea but the years have flown by and I've
never got round to going back again. What better excuse then
than the opportunity to see Charlotte sing live. Because of
my family's connections with Swansea, I had invited my
father to accompany me to the theatre whilst my mother
visited some old friends. We all arrived at the hotel around
the same time, early that afternoon. After a bite to eat, we
spent the afternoon traveling around the old sites and
visited the village where we used to live. After dropping my
mother off at a friend's house, my father and I headed back
to the hotel to get changed for the evening.
We arrived at the Theatre at approx. 6:45pm. This was some
45 minutes before the performance was due to start but I
wanted to get there early and hopefully meet up with a few
of the people I'd heard would also be making the trip. Sure
enough, within a few minutes of arriving, a voice behind me
said "you must be UKMark and Mark's dad" - it was Welsh
Marty! This is the first time I've seen Marty even though
we've been talking by email for the best part of two years
now. We chatted for a few minutes outside the Theatre before
we went our separate ways inside. As soon as I got inside I
spotted a young girl who looked somehow familiar. She was
making her way up the stairs to the first floor accompanied
(presumably) by her guardian. I asked the man if the girl
was called Natasha - she was! This was quite a coincidence
bumping into two people from our website so quickly. I
called up to Natasha and introduced myself.
My father and I then made our way into the bar where we were
shortly joined by Welsh Marty. We chatted for a while until
it was time to make our way into the theatre auditorium. On
the way in I purchased the souvenir program for the show.
Before going any further I need to mention that I didn't
take any photographs of the show. I had a small camera with
me just in case a suitable moment arose but I really wasn't
expecting to be able to use it. Use of cameras are strictly
prohibited inside the auditorium. A few people did start
taking photos when Charlotte came on stage but they were
immediately approached by the theatre's ushers and told
quite firmly not to take any more pictures. This is
perfectly understandable. Apart from the copyright
implications, it is extremely distracting for the performers
(and the audience) to have flashes going off, especially in
this style of venue. I was quite happy to just sit back and
enjoy the show and leave my camera under my chair.
The Swansea
Grand is a very tradition British Theatre. We were sitting
in the second row of the stalls (ground floor) with a
fantastic view of the stage just a few feet in front of us.
Above the stalls were two further tiers of seating - known
as the Grand Circle and the Upper Circle. Around the edge of
the Grand and Upper Circle's were a number of royal boxes.
From what I could see, all 1000 seats were occupied - it was
a great atmosphere as we waited expectantly for the show to
begin. The stage was empty apart from a Grand Piano over the
left hand side, near the front. As we were sitting towards
the right we knew we were ideally positioned as the main
performers would need to be standing either centre or to the
right also. The stage went back a long way but as we were
soon to find out, the space would not be wasted.
At around
7:40pm the lights dimmed and the show began. Peter was
accompanied on stage by his Musical Director / pianist
called Jeff Guppy. From what I can work out, the music for
the show was pre-recorded, but always accompanied by Jeff on
piano and the vocalists giving live performances. It worked
out very well and the overall production / arrangement was
very slick, only let down slightly by the sound system of
the theatre. We had been warned by some friends about the
sound system and I'm afraid they were right. Still, it did
little to detract from the show.
For the
introductory act Peter sang 'Luck Be My Lady Tonight',
Anything Goes', 'Tonight Tonight' and 'There's A Place for
us'. I have to admit I wasn't taking notes throughout the
show - only in the interval and right at the end. These song
title's have been lifted from Welsh Marty's account -
obviously paying more attention than I was! Peter's voice
was very strong and he has a great stage presence, totally
at one with the audience.
Between
musical numbers, Peter would often take a breather and tell
a few jokes which the audience loved. I would suggest there
were a lot of long time Peter Karrie fans in the audience,
judging from some of the feedback he was getting, especially
from the older ladies. Peter explained the format of his
show and announced that there would be a very special guest
appearing in the second half - Charlotte Church.
For the next
musical act a backdrop curtain was raised and we got to see
how they would fill the large stage. Standing in place,
right at the back, was the Dowlais Male Voice Choice and, in
front of them, a female choir. I'm not certain who this
second choir were - the program lists all the special guests
for the entire tour - but I'm assuming it was either the
Porthcawl Operatic Society or Port Talbot Operatic Society.
Apologies if I've got the name wrong - please let us know
and we will update this section. Whoever they were!,
together with the Male Voice Choir it was quite a spectacle.
The assembled group accompanied Peter, and the audience!,
with a rendition of 'Minnie The Moocher' - the audience
joining in with the 'Hidey Hidey Hidey Hi' parts and so on.
Peter then
talked more about the format of the show and introduced the
first of two musical acts selected earlier that afternoon
during the public auditions. He explained how the acts who
hadn't made it through shouldn't feel too disheartened. The
acts were not only selected on musical merit but also on how
their song / performance would blend in with the other
scheduled acts for that evening's show. (During this tour of
UK Theatre's Peter is being accompanied by different local
acts, choirs and special guests each night). The first of
tonight's winners was Gemma, a 19 year old singer from
Maesteg (just outside of Swansea), who is about to go to
college in Bristol. I'm afraid I can't remember what song
Gemma sang but it was a very strong performance and
certainly far better than anything I've seen on Pop Idol.
After Gemma,
Peter introduced the Harry Secombe Youth Theatre onto the
stage. This was in addition to the two choirs already there
and by now there must have been over a hundred performers
standing in front of us! They sang a few numbers from Les
Miserables.
Peter
introduced a local singer called 'Mal Pope' who sang his own
composition whilst playing the grand piano. Mal had also
apparently helped out with that afternoon's auditions.
To close the
first act, the entire ensemble performed a few songs from
Miss Saigon. The safety curtain came down and there was a 15
minute break. A chance to stretch our legs.
Act two
opened with the Dowlais Male Voice Choir performing 'The
Rhythm of Life'.
Peter introduced the second of tonight's audition winners.
This time it was a four piece vocal group called 'Back 2
Back'. They were to perform a pop song called 'Fools Gold'
and the composer was apparently there in the audience. It
was another very polished performance. The standard of the
auditions must indeed have been very high if the two
examples we saw were anything to go by.
Peter then spoke in some detail about the Noah's Ark Appeal
and how it was raising money for a Children's Hospital in
Wales. He spoke of the patrons for the Charity - Catherine
Zeta Jones, Ian Botham and Charlotte. Some of the proceeds
from his concert tour were being donated to the Charity. A
few girls from the Harry Secombe Youth Theatre group came up
stage holding 50 frisbee's signed by Charlotte. The idea was
that if anybody wanted to help the charity they could raise
their hands for a frisbee. The girls then took a frisbee to
them which after the show they could take to a desk in the
foyer to collect a 'goodie bag' in exchange for a £20
donation. The 50 frisbees were soon snapped up so another 50
were bought out, this time without an autograph but Peter
promised to sign them after the show. A very neat way of
earning £2000 for the appeal.
Finally, the
moment we had been waiting for. Peter beamed as he gave a
long introduction to Charlotte. He talked about how
Charlotte's musical style had evolved from her earlier
Operatic / Classical style and how brave she was to be
taking a new direction. He joked with Charlotte (still off
stage at this time) whilst he adjusted the height of the
microphone. We could hear Charlotte's voice in the distance,
saying 'a little higher', 'a little lower', 'just right!'.
Charlotte walked on stage towards Peter and the audience
gave a very warm and loud welcome. (Time for one of my
clothing descriptions for which I apologise in advance!)
Charlotte was wearing a white and orange spangley top, white
ankle length trousers and black high-heeled shoes. She was
to be accompanied by Ian Shaw on piano.
Peter talked to Charlotte for a while about how the
recording of her new CD was going. Charlotte explained how
she is taking her time to get the feeling of the music just
right - there is no rush. Then Peter left the stage and
handed over to Charlotte.
Charlotte chatted and said how nice it was to be performing
in Wales again in front of a local crowd. She was very
bubbly and natural in her manner. She started her set with
'Summertime' and we were immediately taken aback by how
strong and pure her voice was. You do tend to forget just
how much impact there is from seeing and hearing Charlotte
singing right in front of you.
It is difficult to describe the style of the performance but
to me I would say it was a fusion of jazz/soul and
classical. Again I'm no expert in these matters but whatever
the style, I loved it and so did everyone else judging from
the reaction of the audience. Charlotte's singing was
complemented by Ian's lively piano playing.
The second song was REM's 'Everybody Hurts' and again she
gave it 100% - it was a great new interpretation of a
classic contemporary song.
Charlotte introduced her third and final song as 'one of the
most famous songs ever written - it really needs no
introduction'. It's 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'. An
appreciative 'oooh' came from the audience. Charlotte pulled
out all the stops for this one and really left me full of
excitement and anticipation for what we can expect from her
new CD when it is released next year. I know I've said this
already but Charlotte's voice really was something special.
Maybe it was just my imagination but somehow we forgot all
about the theatre's sound system during Charlotte's
performance.
Peter came back on stage and thanked Charlotte for her
special performance. Charlotte departed, beaming and clearly
appreciating the reaction she had received from the crowd.
As she reached the wings she gave a final little wave to the
audience.
A Peter Karrie show wouldn't be a Peter Karrie show without
a few songs from The Phantom Of The Opera and we weren't to
be disappointed tonight. For the role of Christina, Peter
introduced a singer called 'Jill Washington'. She is one of
Peter's favourite Christinas and from this performance we
can understand why.
Between them they sang four songs from the show including:
'All I Ask Of You', 'Phantom Of The Opera' and 'Music Of The
Night'. Jill is one amazing singer and together, they closed
the evening in style.
We had another chat with Welsh Marty in the foyer before
heading for the car and back to our hotel.
This was a very special concert. It would have been well
worth the trip for Charlotte's 15 minutes alone but I
thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening.
Mark.
My report of Charl in Swansea
By
Natasha P.
I arrived about 30 mins before the show
began. I lost my mom and sister in the process, and so my
dad and I went looking for them. We were going up the stairs
when UKMark spotted us. He came and said hi. I was so eager
to find my mom and sister I didn't say much. Thinking about
it now I think I should have asked him if he knew were Charl
was going to come out of so I could get her autograph.
Anyhow eventually we found them. Then we bought a program.
Can you imagine, you have to buy your program? (The pic of
Charl in the program was georgeous! And the bio was very
interesting.)
Anyhow Petter Karrie started singing show tunes soon after.
I don't mean to be prejudice but Charlotte sings, "Tonight,"
and "Somewhere" soooooooooooooooooooooo much better! I don't
been to be offensive to P. K or his fans but I personally
cannot stand his voice or style.
Anyhow in his first act he was joined by a choir, youth
group, & a girl named Jem. Or something like that! Anyhow
she sang a very pretty song called, "Your your Daddy's son."
I think she was the only good thing in the first act. I
could not stand his sense of humor, witch was more for a
PG-13 audience, then the little children in the group. I
thought his jokes very VERY discusting and completly smuty.
After the intermission P. K sang again, and then I believe
he called on a men's choir. (I'm sorry if this isn't in the
right order) They were very VERY good, and the music sounded
sooo refreshing to my ears! Also another group called, "Back
to Back" sang a song called "Fools Gold."
Finally Charl came on wearing the same outfit she wore on
the (?) show. She spoke to P. K for a while and he gave her
some nice compliments about her change in style and all. She
sang three songs, "Summertime," "Everybody hurts," &
"Somewhere over the Rainbow." My favorite was, "Everybody
hurts," it was just what Charlotte described it to be,
"beautiful & sad." The other two songs were also very well
done. Charl however seemed to be somewhat missing in her
usual personality. I can't describe it but it was like she
was sort of lacking her personality. But my Mom heard that
she had some kind of problem like, an earache or her earring
broke. The would explain. It would be terrible singing like
that!
However she delivered a wonderful performance in spite of
that. And it was obvious that everybody there loved her.
When she came on stage the crowd went wild. You could tell
almost everyone there was there to see Charl. The whole
crowd was soooooooooo supportive of her it was wonderful!
THE END
My First Time
By
Welsh Marty
I had not planned to write a report of my own, so I sent
UKMark a small outline of the
evening, as background info, in case he missed a song
title or something. I had faith in him writing a
comprehensive account of the show - which he did and it was
an excellent review.
Now I'm being encouraged to add my version of
events by 'Viper 1,' from
Washington State or D.C.? In your elaborate location-list
you don't say which it is. Is this to confuse visitors from
elsewhere in the Galaxy?
**************
The M4 Motorway, running east to west, links Cardiff and
Swansea, a distance of only forty miles. To the north of the
motorway lie the former coal-mining valleys of South Wales,
now returning to their natural beauty. To the south lies the
sea, facing America. I live near a town, named Bridgend,
located about half way between these two cities, where Peter
Karrie himself was born and raised.
The 'Griffith' of Griffith Park, Los Angeles was also from
Bridgend. He owned a large area of the Hollywood Hills as
well as the park, in fact the famous Hollywood sign should
read Griffithtown. The name was only changed after he was
sent to San Quentin, prison for shooting his wife - she
survived. He was also known as the most hated man in L.A., a
century ago.
Every region has produced it's own entertainers and this
forty-mile section of South Wales is no exception. Catherine
Zeta Jones, Ray Milland, Anthony Hopkins, Richard Burton,Tom
Jones, Shirley Bassey,
(raised in a section of Cardiff called Splott) all hail from
this part of the world - with a new crop on the way.
The recently deceased Bob Hope's parents married in Cardiff
and lived in a nearby town called Barry. Several of Bob's
brothers were born there, before the family moved to
England, where Bob was born and later they all emigrated to
the US.
But the biggest star (if not now - then soon) from this
area is Charlotte Church. We are only in the early stages of
her career and already she has done so much. Most people,
around here, are only vaguely aware of her achievements and
what a great ambassador she has been for Wales. How could
they know if they did not access this website and watch her
performances and interviews in the States.
I am not a fan of classical music/opera/show tunes in
general but Charlotte had something in her singing that kept
me interested in spite of this. 'Soul' music is my main
musical interest along with 'Doo Wop'. So it is with delight
that I have watched Charlotte heading in the
'Soul' direction. One of my concerns has been that she does
not come from a gospel background, unlike most good Soul
singers. However her musical tastes have always included
this 'Soul' element, referred to today as R&B. I remember
her saying that she used to have a Whitney Houston 'belter'
of a voice before she began her training and that she still
has several voices.
Although I live nearer Swansea I have always gravitated to
the larger city of Cardiff for shopping and entertainment,
so I am almost as unfamiliar with the city's layout as
Natasha, (whom I was sorry to have missed on her visit). I
got lost soon after I arrived - looking for a car park.
Standing outside the theatre, I was talking with a lady from
Pennsylvania, (William Penn wanted to call the state New
Wales) when UKMark's father spontaneously joined in the
conversation. He struck me as a twinkly-eyed, amusing,
character, quite unlike the stereotypical severe,
bank-manager which was his former profession.
Along side him I recognised UKMark and it was great to
finally meet up with him for the first time and be able to
thank him, in person, for all the work he does for the site.
Before the show I did a little reconnoitring to see where
the stage door was located. I failed to find it. The
entrances to this old theatre were not all that obvious
either. There were three in total, including one via a
restaurant and another through a Cafe. The third was a small
nondescript doorway.
Finally, after settling in my seat in the Grand Circle, my
heart sank upon hearing the hackneyed opening numbers, 'Luck
Be My Lady Tonight,' and 'Anything Goes'. Things improved
however, when Peter Karrie made better use of his powerful
voice singing 'There's A Place For Us' and 'Tonight
Tonight.'
UKMark has covered most of the rest of the show better than
I can.
During the interval I wandered into one of the
bar/restaurant areas and noticed Maria Church sitting
chatting to several people. I stared at her, not quite
believing that this familiar face was indeed Maria. I wanted
to say hello and thank her also for all she has done but I
did not want to interrupt. I figured there might be a chance
afterwards and returned to a seat that I noticed had been
empty. This change brought me closer to the stage.
The second half began and eventually Charlotte was
introduced. I missed most of the dialogue between Peter and
Charlotte because the mikes were poor but they did not
affect the singing, thankfully.
On this night, in Swansea, she delivered all three songs in
her new hybrid style of R&B with powerful operatic
touches. She performed great 'souled-up' versions of
'Summertime', 'Everybody Hurts' and 'Over The Rainbow.' The
vocal embellishments required can be tricky for those not
brought up in the Gospel/Soul culture and even those who are
can sometimes sound overwrought. Charlotte managed it
wonderfully - I was impressed.
This was my first time seeing Charlotte perform live and
after witnessing this I would very much like to see her in a
full show. Some wonderful performances lie ahead.
End
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