15.12.15

RUSSELL WATSON. 14.12.15 THE KINGS THEATRE, SOUTHSEA.

Oh what a day.!
The girls, Kelly, Kim and Fay came to me and we drove to collect Caroline (or Frank, as i call her). We drove to The Kings Theatre in Southsea and found a spot to park in right outside the theatre.
We entered the theatre via the stage door and the magic began.

We all congregated in the dressing rooms. Becky, Mark, James, Sara, Lesley, and so many more friends. Mirrors surrounded by light bulbs, intercoms to hear your call time, and the smell of sweat and tears!
We were arranged by Jenny (choir leader extraordinaire) in our harmonies and height order ready for our positions on stage, and then headed off, row after row, through the rabbit warren of corridors and stairs to the stage.
Oh my goodness, the theatre was beautiful.
We took our seats ready for rehearsal.

We met Ed Rugman, Russells musical director. He was lovely. Friendly, warm and very funny. He went through the songs and what was expected of us.

We rehearsed a few songs and i felt wonderful. I think we all felt wonderful. Then he mentioned singing a few christmassy songs. This was the last concert of the tour and getting nearer to christmas thought it would be nice. Luckily, most of the christmas ones were part of a 'Christmas Medley' that we sang last year in a concert so we knew the words and harmonies. 

When singing in a choir you have to keep your eyes on the conductor, Jenny, and also Ed to a degree. 

We started singing White Christmas and suddenly i heard the voice of a man booming along with us. It was Russell, still in his jacket and thick scarf, having just arrived. 

His voice was exquisite. 

We sang through a few numbers with him and he told us we were, out of the 85 choirs he'd sung with, the best. Our harmonies were excellent. And Ed agreed. 

Russell was lovely. Again, warm and friendly, and not what we expected. We thought he may be a bit of a diva. But no, he was lovely. 

I can't put into words how amazing the day was up until now.

We went back to our dressing rooms for some sustenance and silliness.

We had a couple of hours until we were on stage for the second half. 

Then the time came to get back into our positions ready for our performance.

We took our places whilst the audience watched, and we sat and waited for Russell to join us.

The audience loved him. He came on stage and the roars from the audience were amazing. So exciting. Of course they could have been cheering for us!

He started the second half of his set and we waited for our cue to stand. 

Funiculi funicula.

I cannot tell you the emotions i went through. 

Toreador, Va Pensiero, unimaginable excitement. 

He sang other songs that we joined in with in a fun way. There was lots of laughter. He went out into the audience and shook hands and spoke to people. 

The 'strings' had their own session, as did the guitarist, and Ed played the piano. 

We did the christmassy songs, and the crowd continued to cheer and clap, obviously having a great time, as were the choir. 

He even took a selfie of us, and one of the audience. 

And this is what the audience saw. 

Then the final song, You Raise Me Up. I was so sad when it ended. Russell left the stage for the 4th or 5th time after loud encores,  and giving us the thumbs up and thanking us, and we were then congratulated by Ed, and our Jenny. 

Back to the dressing room and time to make our weary way home.

This blog does nothing to tell you how immense the experience was, for all of us, including Jenny. She was amazing. Our last performance with a lovely, talented lady who is 'going places' with her band The Lounge Kittens. 

Do you know, even writing this now i feel so emotional i could cry. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Singing, friends and excitement.