Lesley Garrett @ the Maddermarket
A thoroughly entertaining, impressive and thought-provoking evening
Thirty five years after her professional debut, Lesley Garrett CBE is still one of this country's favourite sopranos, so it came as no surprise to find that this 'Audience with...' has attracted what Maddermarket Theatre creative director describes as a 'nice fat audience'. Hopefully he is referring to the box office takings rather than our collective waistlines.
In fact Stash tonight is doing more than simply welcoming us to the Maddermarket. At short notice he has agreed to lead the conversation with, and present the questions to Ms.Garrett as she shares experiences and anecdotes from a glittering career, as well as treating us to a selection of songs from both the world of opera and the West End.
And let us start with that voice. The clarity, power and quality of the voice is still truly an extraordinary thing to behold at such close quarters. Lesley describes the process of singing as literally 'turning inspiration into music', and it is indeed a humbling experience to witness it first hand. No wonder she was such a sensation during her time as principal soprano with the English National Opera. As well as treating us to songs by Haydn, Tchaikovsky and Puccini Lesley finishes the first half with César Franck's 'Panis Angelicus', chosen from a shortlist by the audience via a show of hands.
In conversation it soon becomes clear why Lesley was named 'Gobby Garrett' at school. Once she is in full flow there really is no way of stopping her. Only when the radio transmitter drops from between her legs during a technical malfunction do we get a chance to catch our breath. Whilst the audience are obviously enthralled by her stories of meeting the Queen, and of appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, it is her commitment to music and her unwavering belief of its importance in every aspect of life that is obviously so genuine and heartfelt. During the 'Q and A' session a young member of the audience asks a question about the progression from chorus to solo singer. Within seconds the nervous youngster is up on stage, receiving what appears to be an entirely unscripted masterclass, and is subsequently encouraged and led through a spontaneous duet of I Dreamed a Dream, to rapturous applause.
A further show of hands selects the final numbers from the 'popular' section of the evening, and so it is that we end with both He Was Beautiful and Moon River, before an encore of I Could Have Danced All Night.
A thoroughly entertaining, impressive and thought-provoking evening, reinforced by that impassioned plea for proper funding for musical education in schools and throughout the community. A star performer, and a great ambassador for the performing arts.
8/10
