Merciful musical raises £5,000 for charity

PERFORMANCES of a musical of Andrew Lloyd Webber tunes with new lyrics written by a Hinckley priest raised £5,000 for good causes including a Hinckley hostel.

The Balm of Mercy featured the tunes of Memory, Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, The Music of the Night and Starlight Express among others with new words penned by Father Frank Daly of St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Leicester Road.

His lyrics, said to express the need for mercy, compassion and forgiveness, were inspired by the words of Pope Francis: “May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away.”

The production involved a 40-strong choir, with music directed by Tony Wheat and Maria O’Connell, and 80 people from SPANNED, an organisation working with people with additional needs across the Roman Catholic diocese of Nottingham, which includes Hinckley.

Fr Frank, who has previously written a nativity musical based on Abba tunes, described it as “the most challenging thing we have ever done”.

Performances were staged at St Peter’s Church and in Nottingham’s Albert Hall in support of six charities including Lawrence House, Hinckley’s only hostel for homeless young people.

A DVD of the production is available from St Peter’s Priory, Leicester Road, Hinckley, for £6, including postage.

To find out more either email hinckleypriory@gmail.com or call Hinckley 634443.