Palm Court Concert at The Platform Morecambe Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Jo Hardy

The Platform was once a working railway station “Morecambe Promenade Station” and has been transformed into a unique live entertainment centre. A lot of the character has been retained and I could imagine lots of families getting off the train armed with their buckets and spades ready for a day at the seaside. This feeling of nostalgia married perfectly with the programme of Palm Court music that conductor Howard Rogerson had put together for us.

I tried to count the number of musicians in the orchestra and I think it was 40, there are not many opportunities to hear a live orchestra of this size playing music in such close proximity, so much music we hear today has been electronically changed or enhanced but this was a proper organic musical experience, all brought together by Howard who looked splendid in his top hat and tails surrounded by potted palms.

Palm Court music is from a time gone by when luxury hotels, cafes etc employed small orchestras to entertain their customers, the music we heard was from as far back as 1876 some of it from Howard’s private collection which I feel if he had not rescued would have been lost forever.

I didn’t recognise any of it but that didn’t matter it all, it had such a smooth soothing quality there were a few times I closed my eyes and drifted back in time, but for most of the performance I was mesmerised by watching the musicians, I sat on the front row and was so close I could see the music sheets they were playing from, they were crammed full musical symbols and brought home to me how talented all these people were, there was also a little bit of whimsy in some of the pieces and we were introduced to a few animals along the way.

I must mention the soloists, Myra Bennett who played a Piccolo solo in “Whistler and His Dog” and did a fine impression of a mouse scurrying along and Julian Cann the violin soloist who’s piece was so complex it must of taken hours of rehearsals and he must of felt like he’d had a work out at the gym when he finished.

I have read research that says listening to live music can reduce anxiety, improve mood and improve sleep I don’t know how true this is but I did have a good night’s sleep on the night I’d seen the concert, was it the music or the sea air?

The “Promenade Concert Orchestra” is the only live Palm Court Orchestra in the country. The concert I saw was for one date only, in two one hour sets with a short interval and started at 3pm. They have more concerts planned at “The Platform” in the coming months tickets priced at £17 can be booked online at
lancaster.gov.uk/platform

One little tip if you get uncomfortable when sitting for long periods take a cushion the chairs are not the most comfortable.

Rating: 5/5

For more information, visit lancasterandmorecambebay.com