Audiences around the country make our concerts so memorable for us Locrians! The concerts on our recent visit to the Lake District, for instance, were spectacular. An "Auction of Promises" during a Proms concerts at the Cockermouth livestock auction house was an throughly uproarious evening. Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre had most kindly offered their huge premises to Annie Mawson and myself when we were playing a concert together last year, and we naturally thought that we should put the Locrians into the ring in the place of the sheep, and see just how much we could raise for her Sunbeams charity, of which I am "Musical Patron". The calibre of our ensemble was particularlyoutstanding, though I say it myself! The group included on keyboards, Dave Hartley, "Sting's" musical director; on double bass, Chris Laurence, who plays with John Williams in "Sky" and is widely regarded as one of the finest bass players in the land; on violin our own wonderful Rita Manning; the huge, warm personality and voice of Christine Teare filled the building and beyond. Despite Dave Hartley's apprehension about getting into period costume, the first half of classics went smoothly, and then the auction started, with all proceeds going to Sunbeams. The standard for bidding was set early on when our regular bass player, Paddy Lannigan, bid £600 by phone for a paragliding flight in Keswick. The local newspaper have asked him to appear in period costume for this flight, and he has agreed! Other interesting lots included dog sitting for a week, a day's bread-making course, a helicopter ride for four people, a fat lamb, two tickets for the tall ships from Barrow to the Isle of Man (and back), and a day with a hill farmer on a remote Lakeland Hill farm. I successfully bid for four bags of potatoes, which proved very heavy to bring back home...I am still munching my way through them weeks later. The second half of the concert included all the usual Proms razzmatazz, and we had the audience whipped into a frenzy, as is the way on these occasions the whole evening raised over £5000 for Sunbeams, and was a brilliantly exciting and satisfying evening. The next day was my birthday. The weather was wonderful, and we all took a walk in Martindale, up past the stone church and into the valley. It's so peaceful there. I always carry a postcard of that little church with me in my passport and I don't think I would get on a plane without it! One day, I want to play a recital of solo Bach suites in that special place. Behind the building is a huge yew tree which is supposed to be over a thousand years old. That afternoon we prepared for the evening concert in Tirril village hall. The first half was given by Annie and her Sunbeams troupe; it was truly wonderful to see the true reason why we were up in the Lakes supporting the charity. Annie's remarkable charismatic leadership, tempered with good sense and terrific humour, gave us a concert that was totally memorable, moving and fun. It was like a carnival atmosphere, and we Locrians knew we had an impossible task in following the real stars of the evening. We were joined by the top percussionist, Dave Hassell, and the first appearance by the Locrian Jazz Ensemble began. Normally, I would run a mile away from playing Jazz, but supported by some of the finest musicians in that medium, I felt more confident. Dave Hartley's arrangements were stunning, penned on the kitchen table over breakfast. Numbers such as "Film 80" and a jazz version of Monti's "Czardas" brought the house down, and once again we were all aglow with the pleasure of having played a really enjoyable concert. So, all in all, a most remarkable and fulfilling visit to the Lakes, returning exhausted to London filled with fond memories and the knowledge of a job well done. Since then, we have had some other great concerts. The last night of the Tiverton Proms was another special concert, playing in a spectacular church, packed to the rafters with flag-waving revllers, who knew just how to have a great time. Paddy's laughing policeman is getting more extravagant all the time. He is now touring comedy clubs in the London area, playing his one-man stand-up shows....how brave can you get?!! Apparently he has fled for his life from a couple of venues, but he remains undeterred, and insists that the terror and heckling are all "positive" experiences. Having provided the music on Debbie Wiseman's beautiful score for the BBC's costume drama, "He Knew He was Right" we were delighted to be approached to appear in the BBC's big production for next year, "North and South". We were dressed up in Dickensian style at 7am, standing around in Regent's Park eating breakfast, whilst commuters drove by staring at us in amazement. Next we were chauffeured down to Regent Street, where the filming was to take place. The scene was a wedding, and we were the musicians engaged to play - a harp quartet playing Strauss polkas, which had been arranged especially by our own Jean Kelly. The dancing was just brilliant, energetic and polished. What a pleasure to see the blend of costumes within the Georgian house, and then to have the vibrance of the polka being danced. It all brought back the elegance of the age, and even us Locrians looked stylish in our outfits. Naturally I had to wear a wig, and the one produced by the BBC costume department was a total shocker, even by my standards! Jean, as always, looked a picture in a rich purple number. I can't wait to see the final result when the programme is broadcast next year. We have a few outdoor dates to look forward to over the summer. On of the best of these will be at Rainthorpe. It is going to be called "Music for a Summer's Evening". I have invited Simon Munday to play, and he will be joined by his partner, Alice Pullen, on oboe. She is just finished at the Royal Academy of Music, and had already played principal oboe in many orchestras. they are going to play a double concerto by Vivaldi, and the rest of the programme will include Mozart (Divertimento), Albinoni (Oboe Concerto), Bach (Air on the G string), Boyce (Symphony), and Haydn (Trumpet Concerto). Promises to be a fine evening! Otherwise, "Bombay Dreams" closed at the beginning of June. It was a wonderful experience, surrounded by the best of musicians and very close colleagues. But every cloud has a silver lining, and I am able to use the time freed up to get on with preparations for the Elgar play travelling to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. David Graham's performance in the principal part is growing all the time, and I for one, find it extremely moving I do hope you may be able to pop into the Reid Hall at the University to see us. I am always pleased to meet you after the show - do please come and say hello. After all, we are nothing without our audience... THE LOCRIAN ENSEMBLE PLAY THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2004 ELGAR : STIRRING THE SPIRIT by Justin Pearson A compelling musical drama revealing the complex and fascinating character of a man who drew his inspiration from nature and the company of beautiful women. "Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war !" Act 3, Scene iii, Othello. A splendid, enthralling theatrical experience Eastern Evening News A hugely entertaining and absorbing evening, be sure not to miss it Elgar Society Journal The proud music of Edward Elgar lies right at the heart of the soul of England. Yet the man himself felt less included in the times in which he lived. At the end of his life, infirm and neglected, he was both lonely and vulnerable. In a new music drama, received to universal critical acclaim, award-winning writer Justin Pearson tells the tale of a man who found his music "in the air and written on the clouds". Set in South Bank Nursing Home in Worcester, Elgar (played by David Graham) is comforted by his nurse and daughter (Emily King). His music is performed live by the Locrian Ensemble, including many masterpieces such as Nimrod from the Enigma Variations, the Cello Concerto, "Salut D'Amour", the wonderful Piano Quintet, and the much-misrepresented, "Pomp and Circumstance March". THE REID HALL, EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY, BISTO STREET 2.15pm daily (2 hour show) First night: Monday,August 9th (2 for the price of one), then playing daily until Saturday 21st August inclusive. Box office telephone number: 01312260000 Venue number: 201 Tickets: £10, Concessions available David Graham (Elgar) was born in London and trained at the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre of New York. Returning to London, he played at various Repertory Companies, before joining Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre where he appeared in the Front Page, Macbeth and Grand Manoevres. Other West End appearances include Michael Frayns Make or Break, Arthur Millers The Price, and Trevor Griffiths The Comedians. He has made many television appearances in plays and series including Death of a Salesman, Dr.Who, Casulalty, The Bill, Londons Burning and Doctors. He has worked as a voice-over artist for many years, and created the voices of Brains and Parker in the classic series, Thunderbirds. Recently, David has created the part of Piazzolla in the production of Tango Madness! which sold out its London run at the ICA, is now touring regional theatres. In 2003 he collaborated with Justin Pearson in creating the role of Elgar in Stirring the Spirit, which has played to full houses so far The Locrian Ensemble : Rolf Wilson (violin), Neil McTaggart (violin) and Morgan Goff (viola), Justin Pearson (cello) and Timothy Ravenscroft (piano),