After months of rehearsal All The King’s Men was realized on stage at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash last Saturday night. The result was outstanding.
The Choir’s 2011 mid-year concert opened with the Junior Choristers prior to the Performing Choir taking to the stage. Works by Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, J.S.Bach, Fauré, Bernstein and Philip Carmody were then presented before the first half concluded with two suites of Old American Songs arranged by Aaron Copland.
The second half featured the children’s opera All The King’s Men by Richard Rodney Bennett. This fully staged production was directed by Chris Bradtke, with designs by Brenton Staples and costumes coordinated by Wendy Di Luzio and Anne-Marie Smith. Accompanied by a 22 piece orchestra, the stage came to life with this story based around the ‘Humpty Dumpty’ legend that dates back to the English Civil War. The choristers put their hearts and souls into the performance and the audience responded most enthusiastically. Another fine performance!