Audience encouraged to add voice
Audience involvement will be a must for the upcoming Last Night of the Proms when it opens at Palmerston North’s Regent on Broadway. Director Pat Snoxell said the audience would have the chance to join in with the soloists, choir and band to sing the traditional numbers Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land Of Hope And Glory.
‘‘It’s an opportunity to have fun and thank the audience for their support. The way we do it is to encourage them to participate by dressing up, waving flags, responding to the music and joining the choral numbers at the end,’’ Snoxell said.
‘‘To help create the event’s unique atmosphere, we’d love to see members of the audience dressed as the Queen or members of the Royal family.’’
Snoxell has also included other items in the programme where everyone can join in, and because New Zealand is commemorating the centenary of World War I, the lineup includes favourites such as Keep The Home Fires Burning, Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles and Oh What A Lovely War.
‘‘Audience participation is key to the enduring popularity of Last Night of The Proms and we want to make sure it’s a night they’ll enjoy and remember for years to come.’’
Snoxell has enlisted the help of the 38-piece Royal New Zealand Navy Band, an 80-strong secondary schools choir made up of singers from Palmerston North Girls’ High, Palmerston North Boys’ High, St Joseph’s, Awatapu College and Feilding High School and soloists Anna Leese and Douglas Ransom.
Leese is originally from Palmerston North and has sung with top opera companies in England, Europe and New Zealand. She has also been a soloist at the Royal Albert Hall and guest artist at Last Night Of The Proms here and overseas.
To celebrate the Rugby World Cup, Leese will open the second half with its anthem, World In Union, arranged for soloist and choir by Manawatu musician Roger Buchanan, and also sing an operatic aria and musical theatre songs.
Last Night Of The Proms is presented by the Regent On Broadway, on Sunday, September 27, at 7.30pm.