Clic Sargent’s Christmas Carol Concert 2015 Review
Clic Sargent’s Christmas Carol Concert 2015 with Manchester and Districts Hospitals Choir
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
30 November to 1 December 2015
Reviewed by Melanie Allen
On this blustery miserable night in Manchester, I made my way to the Bridgewater Hall on foot, having gotten the train into Manchester that morning (as I work in the city centre). I haven’t been back to the Bridgewater Hall since I graduated from there in 1997. It still felt like a brand new building, almost 20 years later – very grand and inviting.
My reason for visiting tonight was personal – to support one of the children’s charities very close to my heart. Clic Sargent were the first people on the scene shortly after the diagnosis of my then 3 year old son’s leukaemia. Until then, I had never heard of them. From then on, I never forgot them. My son is now cancer free at 8 years old. I will never forget the support they gave to us a family when we needed it the most.
After purchasing my program, we took our seats.
The conductor, Clark Rundell was a fantastic compare. He introduced everyone and the two schools that were singing were from Bolton and Salford. Even though it wasn’t a competition, he said it was like Bolton Wanderers v Salford City. Although there was a professional choir, he still involved the audience too, and encouraged us to stand for each song. It felt like a night at the proms when we stood for the National Anthem. Clark had great banter with the males in the audience who were meant to sing the All Male parts of the songs (clearly marked in the program!). He even stopped the organist and restarted the song as they weren’t singing loud enough.
The police brass band was fabulous, never missing a note, although I did feel that sometimes, the sound of their booming instruments drowned out the delicate voices from the choir. The percussionists were also great, and made me think that I should take up the Cymbals.
The two schools were fantastic and sang beautifully. There was a moment in the performance where my heart sank as the cd they were singing to got stuck, but unphased by this blip, they carried on singing without any music which was not an easy task to do in front of such a big audience. Credit to the children and the teachers for recovering so well.
I especially enjoyed the variation of songs and even though I knew the words, the tune to some of them changed – While Shepherds watched their flocks by night was a great example of this, as we sang it to the tune of On Ilkley moor bar t’at.
It was beginning to feel so very festive, which was topped off by all the choir members, plus all the band members donning a Christmas hat for the final song, We wish you a merry Christmas (with audience participation). One of the schools was behind the scenes at this point and I could hear some of the parents saying they wished their child could have been visible at the end.
Nevertheless, the show was great and I hope that lots of money was raised for Clic Sargent (A bucket collection was done in the middle of the show).
A most enjoyable traditional christmassy evening was had by all.
Rating: 4/5
For other performances at Bridgewater Hall visit www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk.
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS | 0161 907 9000
