The National Methodist Youth Brass Band came to Oxford for the weekend, staying at Wesley Memorial Church, and giving a concert on Saturday night, to which Phab were invited.
They played a varied and entertaining programme of music, interspersed with introductions to some of the band members, and their various experiences, such as the punting some of them had been doing during the day.
At the interval there were tasty cakes baked by members of the Wesley Memorial congregation.
After a Christmas break we Oxford Phab Members were ready for a brand new beat, which we found at the New Theatre, when we went to see ‘Motown – the Musical‘
The show is full of hit songs, performed by an energetic cast, and worth coming out on a cold January Friday for.
We went – in our lovely minibus – to the Milton Keynes International Festival to see the Graeae Theatre Company performance of Reasons to be Cheerful.
This is a selection of hits by Ian Dury, arranged and performed by Graeae, with British Sign Language interpretation, and captioning and images related to the lyrics, all woven into a rocking performance. Here we are arriving at the festival.
And seated in the Spiegeltent before the performance All good things come to an end and finally we had to leave, getting the minibus home about 1am.
After many nights of rehearsals, we produced our Phab concert on Saturday 14th June.
The Compère’s script gives a flavour of the variety of acts and talents within the club and it’s friends.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Oxford Phab and Friends are delighted to welcome you to our Fabulous evening of fun entertainment.
You have seen the on the television, you have bought the CD’s (some of you) = Now here they are in person – the Fabulous Spice Girls.
The Spice girls number featured a high energy performance by Liz, Kathrine, Kathryn, Anna, Penny and Kelly, and glitzy skirts from the Wesley Memorial costume collection.
Some of the club members who would have liked to have taken part could not be here tonight, Catherine has recorded a couple of songs for us. – The first is ‘Killing me Softly’, accompanied by Liz on the harmonica, the second is ‘Our Father in Heaven’ which she wrote herself. Catherine is in Germany at her cousin’s confirmation.
Tom is also away – doing something even more exciting than being in a Phab concert and here he is to tell us about it.
Tom’s video greeting explained that he was away on the sail training ship ‘Lord Nelson‘
Catherine’s video contained a BSL signed explanation that she was not here, followed by her playing and singing two songs.
I am sure we all wish Tom smooth sailing, and Catherine would like me to remind you that you can buy a tape of her songs with proceeds to charity.
And now I am sure you have never seen such delightful sisters as Mary and Penny.
Mary and Penny, both dressed in cream shirts and blue skirts sang ‘Sisters‘, accompanied by Stephen on the piano.
Stephen played the Grand Piano in the church for us.
Now our very own Television Star, taking time off from her appearances in Judgement Day, Test the Nation, Love Match and Nobody Likes a Smartass – the Amazing Helen
Helen sang ‘Greatest Love of All‘ – which with its themes of the importance of dignity and self worth struck a chord with us.
I’m glad I don’t have to follow that, but somebody has to – Please give a warm welcome to Hugo and his accordion.
Hugo played the accordion, a virtuoso performance, which was followed by chicken jokes from Anna, Mary and John, as a filler while Kathryn, Liz, Anna, Wendy, Kathryn, Vicky, Mary, Di and Penny came on stage, dressed as chickens and sang ‘We are poultry’ and danced to the tune of ‘We are Family‘
Hey little hen, when, when, when will you lay me and egg for my tea – and talking of tea – Tea and coffee are now served in the Hall
We have a twenty minute interval.
After refreshments we, and our audience, returned to the church
Welcome back – introducing our second half we have Danny as Gareth Gates, and his Glamorous Dancers.
Danny took on the role of Gareth Gates in Spirit in the Sky, while the glamorous dancers were Liz, Katherine, Kathryn, Penny and Anna, transformed from poultry to glamour by means of the Wesley Memorial glitzy skirts, and joined by Kelly.
For Wesley Memorial regulars Jim needs no introduction – so he’s not getting one !
Jim sang, accompanying himself on the guitar, but I do not have a note of the songs he sang.
Thank you Jim, and now – Fleeter of Foot that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers – Katherine and Liz – take it away girls !
Katherine and Liz, dressed in black trousers, silver waistcoats and sparkly hats performed a tap dance routine which has been choreographed by Katherine.
Now for a change of pace – One of my favourite people – Penny – singing ‘My Favourite Things‘.
Penny sang this uplifting song from Mary Poppins.
Thank you, Penny. Now accompanied by the versatile Hugo, this time playing the piano – Kathryn
I do not have a note of what Kathryn sang,
She was followed by Tom, our treasurer and member of the Wesley Memorial choir, singing Close Every Door to Me, from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Next came a slightly adapted version of ‘Jolly Holiday‘, particularly appropriate for our club as we have had many Jolly Holidays with Mary.
