The following morning we were all up bright and early for the long journey down to South Wales - to the Barry Memorial Theatre. The rain was torrential for the journey, with a real danger of aquaplaning on the motorway on occasion.
But we all made it safely and were thrilled with the theatre. It was a good size, with plenty of space on the stage. The rooms backstage were quite interesting. The dressing rooms (including toilets) were separated from the stage itself by only a curtain - so no flushing during the Look of Love then...
One of the challenges we faced on arrival was to find a way to get enough chairs for the choir onto the stage. This was a nice problem to have - it's always good to have a big choir. Sharon from the Barry choir met us there and we worked on sorting out the stage with her. We finally got the help and permission of the local theatre workers so that the choir could fit on.
After a short team meeting and then the food that had been prepared by the choir (thanks so much for that - we knew we were in Wales as we were fed Welshcakes!) we then all gathered on stage for the choir rehearsal. Unfortunately by this time only the Barry half of the choir had arrived - the coach containing a further 30 singers from Pontypool had been delayed. The Barry choir had been trained by Dot Connel, and she had also done a considerable amount of the organisation, ably assisted by Sharon and a few others. While we were waiting for the Pontypool choir some of the cast joined the choir and we got down to rehearsing. Eventually Simon Oram and his Pontypool choir joined us, and we had a full complement for the rest of the rehearsal.
A problem we sometimes encounter with theatres is their need to sell interval drinks and ice creams to help keep them financially afloat. This is a little difficult as Rock doesn't have an interval. So at Barry the theatre staff decided not to open the doors into the main auditorium until the very last minute, keeping the audience in the bar for as long as possible. Keith and Laura on our bookstall were delighted, as they had a captive group to sell programmes to...
So with a well-lubricated audience, the performance began. We got through it all with no mishaps, and the choir sang fabulously - as Welsh people should! The audience were tremendous, very responsive and excited. For the reprise of Rock of Ages at the end of the night, normally the cast get the audience and choir clapping at first, but then the clapping stops for most of the middle of the song before it is restarted at the end. This audience however managed to keep going right through the song - all 7 minutes of it! Unbelievable.
Some of the comments we received:
"Amazing, powerful, outstanding, unbelievably touching, uplifting, humbling"
"Turning point was the crucifixion - I'd never seen it done so powerfully and sensitively"
So thanks go to Dot, Sharon and Simon and all their helpers - it was great to be able to come to Wales. Thanks so much for letting God use you in this way.
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