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 "There’s
no end my talents!” - the mantra of Brian Blessed, master of
ceremonies for the Concert for Cumbria, as he regaled a full
house in the Theatre by the Lake in his inimitable self-effacing
style. Introducing and linking his fellow performers he
recounted endless anecdotes from his long and varied Thespian
career: Fancy Smith in Z Cars, Shakespearian roles galore,
Richard IV in Black Adder and Old Deuteronomy and Bustopher
Jones in Cats and many, many others! He talked about his
friendships with Branagh, Gielgud, the Lloyd-Webbers and HM The
Queen; his attempts on Everest and his avowed intent to go into
space. Then in sombre mood he spoke very movingly about the
suffering of Cumbrians caught up in the floods and poignantly
led a minute’s silence for Egremont’s PC Bill Barker who died on
20 November in the line of duty when Northside Bridge collapsed.
Brian pledged to raise millions for the flood recovery fund when
he makes his fourth attempt on the summit of Everest next year.
At 73 and with a figure more Haystacks than Himalaya one can
only wish him well but if desire and determination count for
anything he may just make it.
The concert began with rousing performances from the Cumbria
Youth Concert Band made up of players from the Carlisle Youth
Orchestra and our very own West Lakes Music Centre Windband ably
conducted by Timothy Redmond, principal conductor of the
Cambridge Philharmonic. As the band metamorphosed behind the
curtain into the full Youth Orchestra, the blessèd Brian drowned
out any noise with an impromptu monologue. After a couple of
popular operatic and film score numbers and to tumultuous
applause the orchestra was joined on stage by world renowned
soprano, Lesley Garrett CBE. She began with much-loved arias O
Mio Bobbino Caro from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and The Habanera
from Carmen. The apparent ease of her delivery was absolutely
breathtaking and the audience spell bound. She concluded the
first part with equally spectacular renditions of The Impossible
Dream and You’ll Never Walk Alone; the latter would have brought
the Kop to tears.
Part 2 began with Lesley singing a mixture or arias and popular
songs accompanied by internationally respected pianist, Andrew
West. Pausing only to announce each number, she produced a
succession of pitch perfect performances that enthralled the
packed house. (I’m assured they were pitch perfect by someone
who could tell!) Then Brian returned. As the evening drew on,
the accounts of his exploits became more embellished and risqué.
I shall long remember his account of how he and Branagh were
reduced to tears on the opening night of a play when a fellow
cast member broke wind. In a similar vein his description of the
risks inherent in nocturnal, Himalayan defecation during a
hurricane will certainly endure. The concert ended with a duet
of Climb Every Mountain by Lesley and Brian: she, controlled and
confident and he, red in the face and in imminent danger of
exploding but nonetheless a truly memorable finale.
The concert was arranged by Cumbria County Council and all the
artists, the Theatre by the Lake and the many sponsors gave
their time and support entirely free of charge. The proceeds
from the event will be distributed among the voluntary
organisations that worked unstintingly during and after the
floods. The photograph, courtesy of the County Council; shows
Chairman Roger Bingham, the rake of Milnthorpe, embracing the
star of the show.
David Southward
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