There's No Business Like Show Business

"What an incredibly high standard of talent" was the sentiment today, and my word, was it!

Tonight we saw, what I can only describe as an epic array of Musical Theatre, covering 9 decades of music, from West End to Broadway, from the Wizard of Oz to Wicked, and all manner for film/TV and show-tunes. Truly amazing things produced today. Before I talk about all the Musical Theatre, I'll mention the second half of the afternoon which featured the more classical side of things. Charlie Brewin opened with a Highly Commended performance on Classical Guitar, followed by two superb young choirs competing for the Ivygate Slaver. The Orchestral Woodwind Ensemble class featured a great selection of ensembles, in the form of Clarinet Ensemble, Flute Choir and Saxophone Ensemble. Sadly, the oomph was perhaps lacking with this class, which is a shame, but I'll admit, it's the kind of thing I forget about, woodwind ensemble, so perhaps the genre needs a bit of a revamp for players and audience to really get into it.

Everything else that featured today was good old Musical Theatre. We were all in for a real treat with the U12 Songs from the Shows Class kicking off the afternoon. 29 brilliant young performers took to the stage with sheer confidence and all round amazing entertainment. I think was great of Ian to say when he adjudicated was how well the kids sing, and that everyone is using their voices correctly. As a singing teacher I know how demanding the Musical Theatre genre is on the voice, and how a lot of singers can end up ruining their voices by trying to use it in the wrong way; namely 'Belting'. There is a way to belt, and it needs to be taught properly, and not everyone has the right voice to do belt either. What I think is a real testiment to everyone out there teaching this genre, whether they are private vocal tutors like myself or the big drama schools like GATE, young talent is being nurtured in the right way, and I really hope this continues.
- The U12 class was hotly contested, with so many of the kids getting highly commended and three distinctions, but it was a powerful and emotional performance of 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' performed by George Shuter that took home the trophy.

Along came the evening sessions, and my word did the Musicals continue! A relatively new class addition to the festival is the Songs from the Shows Open Class, which sadly has not yet quite taken off, but I think in time it will become quite popular. It's certainly a class I'm considering entering as a way of working with my students more and giving them more opportunities to perform, and I hope some other teachers might do the same. Featuring only two acts, in the form of Eisteddfod regulars Julie Tostevin and Kim Reece-Sheerin each pairing a young up-and-comer, it was a great opening to the night, and it was lovely to see Kim and Grace take home the newly presented trophy.

The next class featured something, let's say, a little bit different. Any of you that grew up in the 80's and 90's may have fond memories of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas", and it's been a dream of mine and my bestie Jo Marsh to perform this since we won the Musical Scene trophy with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" literally 10 years ago. After doing a production of Summer Holiday back in November we realised we had an amazing core group of people who literally cast themselves, and our dream became a reality. It is not an easy lot of music, and it certainly is a bit 'weird and wonderful', but it was so much fun to perform, and I'm so glad we pulled it off, winning the trophy with a distinction! I have to praise my dear friend Jo for her incredible costume making and makeup (see opposite and below), thanks to Becky Gabriel for her help with makeup on the night, and big thanks to the band and, in particular, Scott Michel for playing Bass. Scott has never performed in any type of musical theatre band, let alone at the Eisteddfod, and we're so grateful to him for his hard work and determination (and for dressing like a zombie).

(The Cast and Band, aka: 'What's This?!' for 'The Nightmare Before Christmas - 10 years in the making)

A little interval respite, and then we were off again for the O18 Songs from the Shows. I know a few people who come to watch this class to 'get ideas' about what to see at the West End, and there was certainly something for everyone. There were soft reflective songs, powerful ballads, and of course, the comedy. It is one thing I think we do well us donkeys, Comedic Musical Theatre, and no-where was this truer of Michael Sullivan and Josh Gabriel's rendition of 'One Day More'. Yes, that's right, they made this powerful ensemble number a comedic duo, and to rapturous applause. It's things like this that make everyone realise, we don't take ourselves too seriously, and we really know how to have a good time AND put on a good show.

- An incredibly high standard of music and performing in this class, with 6 acts sharing 2nd and 3rd place in the distinction category, but the super-star performance was the 'Webber Love Trio' receiving the adult sections first 90 (outstanding). I think what's particularly great about this for me was to see my good friend Dominique Ogier win the trophy with a 90 in her first ever Eisteddfod Performance. Well done Dom, absolutely deserved.

(Pictured Opposite, L-R: Julie Tostevin, Kim Reece-Sheerin & Dominique Ogier, winners of the Songs from the Shows O18 Class with an 'Outstanding')



All in all, Thursday has been an absolutely amazing day of music and entertainment at the Guernsey Eisteddfod. It's days like this that really do hammer home just how much talent it on this rock.
And to sum up, quoting our adjudicator Ian Hytch, who I think said it best....

"Wow!"