Pembroke and District

Male Voice Choir accepted an invitation to entertain members of South Pembs Golf Club last Saturday evening.

Chris Lloyd (conductor/ music team leader) had prepared a programme of film music to challenge the memories of the audience and was proposed to take the form of a quiz at concerts end.

As there were a considerable number of ladies present, she suggested the winner could take home, as first prize, a chorister of their choice. So popular was the idea that there was a terrified rush for the exit before a counter-announcement that it was merely in fun! The common sigh of relief released would have driven the Cutty Sark some distance one imagined. Disappointment, we can report though, was reflected on the face of a chorister or two!

It was that sort of a night, designed to be amusing, light-hearted and entertaining, and proved to be so.

Phil Lloyd was in sparkling form with his expert delivery of jokes. Let us remember, though, that these skills have been honed through his long experience as a top presenter. Resident presenter at the 1000 Voices Royal Albert Hall says it all. He'll be there again in 2015, you know.

The choir started the concert with two light-hearted items, before Sam Thomas presented his first solo. Back came the choir with three well-received items, before Henry Johnston sang the Rex Harrison soliloquy from 'My Fair Lady', 'I've Grown Accustomed to her Face', and very nicely done it was, too, quiet, gentle and reflective.

Joan Lewis came to the stage and in her best acting manner and finest strangulated Thames Estuary vowels imitated fairly Audrey Hepburn's 'Wouldn't it be Loverly' from 'My Fair Lady'. Only the hair colour gave the game away!

Sam Thomas returned to sing 'On the Street Where You Live' from the same film, to much applause, before the choir brought the interval with a lively 'Get Me to the Church'.

Les Mis. was the focus for the choir after the interval, items from this show always popular, followed by the inspirational 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Turn of the night, though, was 'Hinge and Bracket', Phil Lloyd's words thankfully and not this writer's. He alone, at home, would have to answer for it!

Alias Joan Lewis and Chris Lloyd, this duet are ready to do most things for a smile or two from audiences. 'Can't Help Loving Dat Man of Mine' to be entirely accurate, from 'Showboat'. Game for a laugh they certainly were, totally over the top acting, it must be said. Done with gusto and directed (it was hoped and believed by choristers,) at the choir as a small tribute from the pair. Jenny Griffiths, accompanist, seemed to find it very hard, as most did, to keep anything approaching a straight face at the keyboard.

The choir took to romance to finish the concert with three final numbers, but such was the applause from listeners, that an encore was required.

Chris Lloyd demanded, and got, female audience and chorister participation on stage for an ad-hoc performance of 'It's a Grand Night For Singing'. It went down with a good deal of laughter and good humour all round.

Mike Williams for the club expressed his and the members' warm appreciation for the entertainment.

Janet Norrie, who runs the restaurant at SPGC, provided the refreshments at concert's end. Janet made an impression, looking very attractive and dressy on the night, it must be said. Dennis O'Connor expressed the choir's thanks to her for her efforts on the night.

A.S.