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Through its ‘Sounds of’ series, Music Theatre Guernsey is continuing to explore the work of musical theatre composers and lyricists. Inspired by amazing writing which is often unavailable to perform, has got lost in time, or is overwhelmed by dance routines and special effects, the Guernsey company has found a way to celebrate the music of the musicals. And so, the series, which began with The Sound of Musicals at St James in November, continues in the plush surroundings of the Duke of Richmond Hotel and honours two giants of the genre.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein transported musicals away from operetta and into the dawn of what we know today as the modern musical. Their classic tunes and speech-quality lyrics have inspired several generations of devotees. Extended families still find themselves enjoying The Sound of Music together, while the recent Eisteddfod demonstrated that young people are still choosing to sing classics from Cinderella and The King and I.
Our concert takes the big seven shows in turn and celebrates the music of each, with live singers and our in-house band, who will also be sharing some of the orchestral music that enhances the original story telling. Intertwined with this, is an opportunity to hear some of the lesser-known songs, explore a few shows that never made it big and learn a brief history of the successes of Messrs R and H. Set all of that beside a pre-cabaret dinner at the Duke of Richmond hotel and you have yourself an enchanted evening.
Gareth Byrne, General Manager of the Duke of Richmond Hotel:
We pride ourselves in holding a variety of diverse events, offering Guernsey residents and visiting guests access to brilliant home-grown talent. The Duke of Richmond has had great success historically working with the theatre community and we are thrilled to partner with Music Theatre Guernsey and value the relationship we have developed. Being able to offer something different is important to us. New ideas are always welcome and we are hopeful to continue to grow and strengthen our relationship with MTG further.
A few words from some of our singers…
Alison Castle
Sound of Music was the first musical where I learned every song. Not through conscious effort but from playing the record over and over. I must have seen the film at the time but the only images that stick were the ones around the songs. I certainly remember my friend and I jumping up and down the steps in Candie Gardens, Doe-a-dearing.
Bella Westgarth-Smith
Having mainly sung contemporary musical theatre for the last decade, I have loved singing some of my old musical theatre favourites but also learning new material from an era gone by that is still enjoyable today. Cabaret was always one of my favourite nights out in London, so I am delighted to be part of the ‘Sound of’ series, where cabaret can be enjoyed by Guernsey audiences. Food, drink and music - these are my ‘favourite things’!
Darren Alderton
I think this production is especially special to me, as it brings back memories of my gateway to musicals. This being the Youth Theatre 24-hour musicals, where we often performed R and H shows. Their music is so hauntingly arranged and their lyrics twist through melody in a way that keeps you gripped. My favourite example of this is in Carousel, where our protagonists sing If I Loved You. Never do they say they actually love each other, only a figurative ‘If’. You spend the whole show wishing either that they would declare their love or that she would move on to a better person and not let her heart get so tied up in false promise.
Emma Cunningham
Some of my favourite childhood memories were watching musicals on the telly with my Mum. In the ‘70s, big films really only came on the telly at Christmas, so being introduced to The Sound of Music or The King and I was a big family event. Who could fail to be transfixed by the yodelling governess who made play clothes from curtains and sang of whiskers on kittens and brown paper packages tied up with string? For a very long time I wanted to change my name to Maria. R and H are the founding fathers of the modern musical and while some plots may not have aged well by modern standards, the tunes are still some of the best ever written. If You'll Never Walk Alone leaves you without a lump in your throat and a wibble of your bottom lip, then you must be made of stone. Singing these songs with my wonderful, talented show friends has brought me great joy. I hope we can share that joy with the audience.
Ticket Details
Tickets are priced at £12 for nightly performances from Monday 28 March to Thursday 31 March, with the show beginning at 8.00pm. Book online at www.mtgsy.gg or call 0333 666 33 66
Following this production, MTG intend to continue their ‘Sounds of’ series with The Sound of Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas.
