Sunshine, Song and the Scottish Play

Blog written by Dawn, GBG performer and Vice Chair

It all started in February when Heartbreak Productions contacted us about their 2014 production.  Heartbreak are a professional outdoor theatre company who tour the UK in summer time putting on a variety of plays in beautiful outdoor locations.  Last year Glee Bah Gum were asked to provide music for their performance of Dracula in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens which was a new experience for all of us and something we very much enjoyed so everyone was thrilled when they contacted us again this spring to ask if we would take part again. We all had a great time trying to guess what the production would be like, after all how could a choir like us fit into a production of Shakespeare's  Macbeth?

The real work started in April when our M.D, Lizzie announced the start of rehearsals for the production.  I had been part of Dracula the year before so I knew we were in for a treat.   Like last year, these rehearsals are a lot more intense than our regular choir rehearsals so the production is optional all practices are after regular choir rehearsals. Also unlike regular rehearsals everything is performed using sheet music and no backing tracks and a lot of it is in three part harmony.  

Trying to learn the harmony line for 'Its a long way to Tipperary' was tough as so many of us were used to sining the melody but eventually it started to sound good.   When Lizzie told us we were to sing 'Zadok the Priest' (something which has been arranged for at least one hundred voices at Coronations and is split into 4 parts) I started to worry but with a lot of hard work and practice even this started to sound good.  We also had to learn a specially written piece called ‘The Witches Brew’ which split into 4 part harmony, was written in a made up language and was all about getting the timing right, it was  challenge!

Cat & Alecia in character and on set in the beautiful Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Suddenly it was the day of the technical rehearsal and opening night, we met the actors and director who were all so welcoming and lovely. However it wasn't all plain sailing script changes, cuts and additions meant  Lizzie had a hard job trying to work out our cues to start singing.  Sound effects were now included, some songs were cut and others had been added, I will never forget Lizzies face when yet again, she forgot to tell us to cheer after singing Zadok, Thank you to Tina for ignoring the cue to sit down and cheered instead.

When it was time for opening night we all got changed in our costumes.  This particular production of Macbeth had been set in a First World war Hospital and everyone got into the sprit by dressing in the Edwardian style.  Then the show was on, as this years performance was earlier in the year (Dracula took place in August) the weather was lovely  most of the time and  it never got completely dark but providing the background effects for the witches was eery, especially when some of us got to scream and cackle, Megan did this particularly well, I think she was a witch in a previous life.   The 5 shows were an absolutely great experience, we cant wait to find out what we might get to take part in next year!

Heartbreak productions will be touring the UK with productions of Macbeth, Peter Pan and Pride and Prejudice.  For more information go to   http://www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk/whats-on

David modelling his Edwardian style

In character with the cast of Heartbreak Productions........

....but even if it was their show, we all know..If your in the room, on the stage or in this case, performing Macbeth... your in the choir!