Snape in 2009-07

Looks like harassing the Knodishall village shop has moved to the garage on the road to Aldeburgh near Snape.

The concert performance by London Operetta of HMS Pinafore at the Snape Proms last night was cracking fun!  In the first half conductor Ian McMillan rehearsed the audience in both singing and massed bits of business and his hi-energy and polished enthusiasm was an important element driving the whole thing along.  Much of the audience were suitably dressed and judging by how often harmonies appeared many also clearly choralists.  The second half was a was lively concert performance from the six principals with the audience occasionally dragging but never mucking up ... and then prizes for the volunteer marines and best dressed sailor, sister, cousin and aunt.  Great Stuff!  The whole thing was recorded by a Sky Arts camera crew and it was a proper three man crew plus some youthful trainees.

It's always a pleasure to watch dancers up close and we discovered at their Snape Maltings rehearsal this afternoon that Swiss company Bern:Ballett are young and innovative but not so modern as to be scary.  See them tonight or like us tomorrow tonight.

The Ukulele Orchestra of GB who in the last couple of years have played Easton, Snape and Arts Framlingham are playing this year's proms in a large town near Chelmsford.

At yesterday afternoon's rehearsals in the Snape Maltings Halifax Primary from Ipswich were giving it the full monty.  40 odd youngsters all in black and choreographed by someone(s) who know(s) how to do it, backing tracks from Beethoven's Pastoral, Windmills Of Your Mind, some Satie and Music For A Found Harmonium ... but not this version.  Loved it, A Celebration of Schools' Music runs all week, more info at Aldeburgh Music.

Despite taking a photo crib we still didn't really recognise Peter Donegan last night when we met him backstage at the Aldeburgh Proms, Snape ... but when he leans back on stage and grins at the audience he's undoubtedly Lonnie's son!  Lots of audience engagement, who knew the repertoire well and kept shouting out requests.  Thinking about it Pete is comfortingly a link via his dad and variety back to music hall.  To audience Do you want to sing a song?  YES!!  Off you go then.

No half time dressing room rock'n roll histrionics with some gentle Geordie accents floating about and the house soundman's explanation accepted You know the house better than we do.

Approaching the gig end Rock Island Line♫ got a thunderous reception and we're so pleased we've now shouted Four foot from his tail! with six hundred others (actually we forgetfully inflated it to six feet, silly us).