What a hoot!

What a hoot! The 110^th Anniversary of the “new” Music hall was a whole load of fun – with divas, arguing politicians, the ‘town band’ and a community choir all celebrating (or berating) the arrival of the “Phoenix from the ashes” (the old hall had burned down 8 years earlier). From a backstage standpoint lots of buzz about our period costumes and various hairstyles, especially facial! Great to see, and hear, the audience caught up in the proceedings, from the shouts of ‘Bravo’ and ‘Encore’, to the boos and heckling aimed at less-popular characters. Also great to see many of the paying customers getting into the spirit of the occasion by turning up in costume, with a prize for the best. Plus a prize draw  sponsored by the Region of Durham, always popular. Lots of buzz afterwards too, with general agreement as to the many fine individual performances, and that the 9 year-old violin-playing “mayor” stole the show (much to the chagrin of certain divas!). Congrats to Conrad Boyce especially for putting the whole show together and let’s not forget Marta Gill for the bizarre, but totally authentic, canvas backdrop!