"Prawns in the Pork, Prams in the Dark, a rose by any other name...it is a privilege and an unalloyed pleasure to present Proms in the Park before the magnificent audience that packs Hyde Park. Come rain or shine, its high spirits are ever buoyant. It's an evening of flags and banners, joy and laughter. And magnificent music, ending with 'Land of Hope and Glory' from 40,000 loyal throats, as fireworks light up the night over Hyde Park." (Sir Terry Wogan)We had another fantabulosa evening at Proms in the Park yesterday!
Happily the rain held off, we bagged an excellent spot close to the stage, and our gang brought enough crates of food and booze to keep us going for six hours. In fact, enough food and booze to keep an army going for six hours - but that is what it's all about, after all!
The early part of the evening's entertainment is traditionally devoted to tribute bands, and opening the show were Serpentine Fire (Earth Wind & Fire), the cast of the stage musical Jersey Boys (Four Seasons) and Bjorn Again (Abba). Oh, and some girl singer called Nell Bryden, whose spot was a general excuse for everyone to go to the loo...
After the break Ken Bruce handed over to the ebullient Sir Tel, and the genuine star-studded entertainment began. Dame Kiri ti Kanawa (looking spectacular), Jose Carreras (not looking quite so good), and the winner of this year's "Kiri Prize" Shuna Scott Sendall (who has a beautiful soprano voice) were all magnificent. Brian May and Kerry Ellis (showcasing their new collaboration album Anthems) were impressive, especially with the audience-rousing medley of We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.
And then came something very special indeed - a masterful set by Mr Neil Sedaka!
We were treated to the whole gamut of his repertoire, including Calendar Girl, (Show me the way to) Amarillo, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Love Will Keep Us Together, Oh Carol, Solitaire and of course Laughter in the Rain. Fan-bloody-tastic!
With hardly a chance to catch our breath after the live entertainment, it was time for the video link-ups - firstly with the Proms stages across the country (including the uber-sexy John Barrowman live in Salford), and a mass sing-a-long uniting all the venues' audiences to belt out You'll Never Walk Alone.
Then of course it was time for the traditional Last Night of the Proms set from the Royal Albert Hall. Despite some technical problems with the volume of Miss Renée Fleming's microphone, we sang till our throats were sore - Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory and of course the National Anthem. With spectacular fireworks to finish, this was (as every year) a fitting way to wave goodbye to the Summer, and to welcome the Autumn/Winter Season in...
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