First concert performances
On 20 and 21 June, the Buckinghamshire-based Lacey Green Singers staged the first ever concert performances of the main songs from the show, accompanied by a narrator telling the story. Choir and audience alike enthused and the events raised a marvellous £540 for Cancer Research UK.
Isle of Wight
On 9–13 December and again on 16–20 December 2009, the Apollo Players will be staging the show at their own Apollo Theatre in Newport on the Isle of Wight. In each week, the run concludes with a Sunday matinée. The website is www.apollo-theatre.org.uk. The ten performances will mean that this will be the longest run the show has yet enjoyed.
Hitchin Young Thespians, Hertfordshire
At Easter 2010, Hitchin Young Thespians will be putting on four performances – in this case the charity link is especially appropriate as the production will be dedicated to their rehearsal pianist who sadly died, very young, of cancer just before Christmas. Nearer the time, details will be available on www.hitchinthespians.org.uk
Orchestral arrangements
Below Stairs is now (September 2009) being arranged for orchestra, thanks to a gift of finance from the USA. Once completed, the instrumental scores will be made available for hire. In addition, we plan to use the arranged score to produce a CD of all the backing tracks for those societies unable to afford live musicians.