Premiere part 1

We're back from tour now, so I'll gradually be adding to this site the details of what we've been up to.

First of all, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November, we held the premiere of Rock at the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham.

The touring party all gathered at the hall and met with the wonderful 170-strong Birmingham choir for an afternoon rehearsal ahead of the big event. After a good rehearsal, the choir and cast disappeared backstage to get ready as the audience began to gather. For some of the cast this was the first time in stage makeup, and Ann Parkin and Claire Close finally parted with their beloved costumes. The camera crew arrived from the Isle of Wight ready to make the DVD, and the first of the weekend's Bishops arrived - Bishop David Urqhart - the 'new' Bishop of Birmingham.

At 7.10pm the cast (those that were ready) and the choir met together to pray, led by Bishop David, and then the choir took their places.

The performance began with an introduction from Bishop David, an interview with Alison Fuggle - author of the lyrics - and then a final word from Roger.

The sellout crowd were very responsive and appreciative, laughing and clapping at all the appropriate places. Amazingly for a premiere, the performance went off pretty much without a hitch - only a couple of moments where lines were forgotten and props left where they shouldn't be.

Huge thanks go to all those who helped organise the day - to the choir trainers - Phil, Katie, Sylvia and Pat - to the CMM choir committee -to Denise who assisted me with the tickets - and to Anne and Lindsay in the office for all their help.