Well, what a start to 2014. It’s only just February and the band has performed to over 2500 people so far!
Late last year the band were approached by Cheadle Hulme Amateur Dramatics Society (CHADS) and were asked to be the band in the stage play of Brassed Off. Of course, we agreed as we had a track record of being such a band.
Rehearsals started in mid-January with the starring roles not only going to Rachael Ward on Flugel playing Roderigo’s Concierto De Aranjuez (or Orange Juice as it’s more affectionately known) but Matthew Hill on Euphonium playing Benedictus from The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins played during the Voting Scene. Matt was positioned out in the audience with full spotlight treatment whilst Rachael had to make do again, hidden away behind the false brick wall scenery. Both Matt and Rachael were upstanding at the end of the show so the audience could show their appreciation.
The production ran for 7 sold-out shows plus 2 dress rehearsals with many of the band as core players and others doing what they could. I can’t say though how many were ‘brassed off’ by the end but one thing is for sure the cast and crew made us all feel welcome and many had a ball. Our thanks go to Mike the Director and The President of CHADS for their kind words and the magnificent picture of Marple Band which was presented at the after-show party. Thanks to all at CHADS, cast, wardrobe, stage manager and team, props, lighting, sound, box office, front of house and not forgetting kitchen and bar!
Not letting the grass grow under our feet the band performed to a sell-out concert (over 1000) at Stockport Plaza, starting the second half off at the Rockapella (gonna rock your world) concert. A massive event in which The Cottontown & Heartbeat Choruses and Special Guests performed songs from Michael Jackson, Meatloaf, Grease, The Beatles and more. As we had come straight from Brassed Off our short 20-minute programme included Festmusik Der Stadt Wien, Amazing Grace, Death or Glory, Danny Boy and Floral Dance. I’m not sure the stage hand appreciated this though as when the curtain came down it came down far too close chopping off all our principal players!!