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Happy Birthday to Hereford String Orchestra

1:19pm Wednesday 10th December 2008

Champagne and cake in the interval turned the Hereford String Orchestra’s fiftieth anniversary concert in Shire Hall last month into a full-blown party. The orchestra’s sizeable string forces were augmented for the occasion by a full complement of brass and woodwind, and no less than three conductors. Proceedings began under James Slater’s baton with Wagner’s majestic Mastersingers Prelude in a performance most memorable for the fearlessly Teutonic playing of the lower brass. Released from the challenge of making themselves heard in such company, the strings then came into their own in an accomplished account of Britten’s clever (and misleadingly titled) Simple Symphony, after which the orchestra’s former director, violinist Nic Fallowfield, played Dvorak’s Romance for Violin and Orchestra with an expressive eloquence that was underpinned by some elegant orchestral accompaniment under the direction of Hazel Davis.

Cabaret reveals a heart of darkness

10:58am Tuesday 9th December 2008

CABARET made a superstar out of Liza Minelli – it’s probably pretty much going to propel Samantha Barks into the showbiz stratosphere in the same way.

Gigantically good

10:50am Monday 8th December 2008

I WAS lucky enough to go the opening night of this year’s Christmas panto at The Courtyard in Hereford. I saw Snow White last year with my school, and in my opinion this year’s show, Jack And The Beanstalk, is even funnier! My favourite character was the evil baddie, Baron Wasteland, who had a seriously evil laugh and was very funny when he was trying to be mean to everyone. Everyone enjoyed booing him whenever he came on. I also liked Buttercup the cow and the good fairy, Fairy Cake – but don’t make her cry whatever you do! I can’t say too much about the special effects, because it will spoil it for everyone who hasn’t seen it yet, but they were BRILLIANT and everyone around me was amazed. Look out for butterflies, beanstalks and dancing skeletons, but watch out especially for the giant - Fee Fi Fo Fum! Just like last year, there were some really funny songs, and both the children and the grown-ups enjoyed singing along at the end. The actors made sure everyone joined in so we all had great fun. I would really recommend it to other children, as it is a great Christmas treat, and it will make you laugh all the way through. Jack And The Beanstalk is a brilliant show for everyone, and I can’t wait until I come back with my school and see it again with all my friends. Fergus Barratt, age 9 Ledbury Primary School

A date to remember

1:46pm Tuesday 2nd December 2008

FIRST there was the headline-hitting calendar, then there was the Hollywood film, and now Calendar Girls arrives on the stage, with a fabulous all-star cast, a huge sense of fun and irrepressible joie de vivre.

Bobby displays impressive virtuosity

9:58am Monday 24th November 2008

IF a Steinway grand could be considered the Rolls-Royce of pianos, then a Fazioli is a Ferrari. Svelte to look at and agile in response, one such was imported last Saturday into Shire Hall by the indefatigable promoter Richard Wilson for a recital given before a large and enthusiastic audience by the gifted Malaysian pianist Bobby Chen. The start was delayed by fifteen minutes, but Bobby Chen seemed unfazed, beginning his programme well with a romantic rendition of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in which he used the instrument’s tonal range to draw some marvellously clear lines, notably in the Fugue.