Tour 1 - Blyth

After working our way up the north west of England, it was time to cross over the Pennines to the east. We travelled right across country to Blyth via Dobby's Garden World in Ponteland for lunch (although a few of us went to the pub next door).

It was brilliant to finally make it to Blyth - 6 years ago we held a Wildfire previsit at St. Cuthbert's but the choir travelled to Sunderland to perform. Then three years ago we were all set for Jail Break when the theatre was double booked and we travelled to Cockermouth instead. So 9 years since Snakes and Ladders, CMM was once again touring in Blyth!

This time round Dave Cooper was responsible for the original booking, but then he had an army of helpers to take it on while he produced the local performance of Fiddler on the Roof! The choir was trained by Danny White and a couple of others, and Dave was assisted by the wonderful team of Glenys and Trudy in the administration side.

The Phoenix theatre was a pleasure to perform in. The sell-out audience felt incredibly close (we could see the light reflected from a hundred pairs of glasses), and there was plenty of room on the stage. I particularly enjoyed the little corridoor underneath the stage, but I'm not sure all the cast would agree with me! Also backstage there was a sound system, so that meant that those waiting to come on could hear every word...

We had our afternoon team meeting in the bar, but it wasn't open for drinks at that point!

The performance itself went really well. It was fantastic not to see an empty seat in the house, and God seemed to really bless all that were there. Alyson had been back in action singing since Penrith, and her voice was going from strength to strength, which was great to hear.

Tour 1 - Penrith

Following our Ulverston performance, the touring party had a well-earned day off. The weather was utterly appalling, but that didn't stop us - most people travelled to Keswick and either went for a walk in the rain and wind, or pottered around the shops. Roger went to his hosts Graham and Thelma in Penrith and spent most of the day asleep. Due to the bad weather, a lot of the touring party ended up at Rheged, where Richard went on a search for Cornelius pictures:

After a relaxing night at our hosts in Penrith, we were back getting ready for another performance, this time at Penrith Methodist Church. Some of the touring party didn't fancy a lie in, and they were richly rewarded with beautiful weather for a trip to Aira Force:

After a fabulous lunch of lasagne at the church, we prepared for our two performances at Penrith. It was unusual to have a midweek matinee, but Graham Allan and all his helpers were rewarded by two good sized audiences, including plenty of children in the afternoon. The Penrith choir was drawn from far and wide - some from Penrith itself, but lots from villages and towns all over Cumbria and North Yorkshire. They were excellently trained by the 'Rock Chicks' - Claire, Carolyn, Helen and Rachel. The church at Penrith is one of the more complicated to stage a musical - the choir had to sit partly to the side and partly behind the action, leaving the performing area an oval shape, but these challenges keep the cast and dancers fresh and having to think on their feet!

For this performance we had a kind of 'minstrels gallery', with the instrumentalists sitting up in the balcony of the church. While it meant they couldn't see all the action, it was lovely having the sound floating down from above!

Another highlight from Penrith was the signers Heather and Marcia. They had a special monitor which brought up all the words for the songs as well as drama operated by Graham at the back. It meant that the tenors and basses could watch and check the cast got their lines right...

Thanks to Graham, Thelma, the Rock Chicks and all their helpers for having us and organising a wonderful day.

Tour 1 - Ulverston

The next morning after our team meeting we travelled together to Ulverston. This is the point where all of the city dwellers in the touring party get excited by occasional glimpses of the sea, topped off by wonderful mountain views.

The Coronation Hall in Ulverston is a venue we have visited for the last few tours, so it was wonderful to be back. This was the first 'normal' day of tour - here's how the timetable for a normal tour day should look:

1000 team meeting
1030 leave and travel to next venue
1500 team meeting
1630 tea
1730 choir arrive
1800 rehearsal
1910 prayers with choir
1930 performance
2130 back to hosts

It was fabulous to have time for a proper team meeting in the afternoon - we spent a good time praying and listening to God for one another. All part of training for ministry as you never know who you'll talk to or have to pray with from one venue to the next.

After tea we met with the choir, which was great fun. The Barrow in Furness/Ulverston choir is renowned for having quite an interesting bunch of altos who certainly keep the event entertaining. Despite the witty interjections, the choir trainer Sharon Collins had trained the choir brilliantly, ably assisted by her son Anthony the CD master.

Carole Marsden was back on the oboe and cornet, which was wonderful, but Alyson's voice had still not returned so Clair continued in the role of Zillah. Aly became an honourary technician for the night, and even got to wear a Malachi t-shirt.

It was wonderful to be back in Ulverston again - thanks so much to Margaret Manvell for all her hard work organising, along with all those who assisted her. As with all the venues, it was sad to think that this will be the last visit.

Tour 1 - Wigan

We met the following morning at Bury for our team meeting - thanks to those at Bolton Road Methodist Church who put up with us on an extremely busy remembrance Sunday!

Unfortunately, during the Manchester performances, Alyson's voice had gradually disappeared, so that meant that for the Wigan performance Clair had to step in. Carole also couldn't come to Wigan, so the instrumentalists were one down. As you can imagine, some intensive rehearsal followed when we had all gathered at the Robin Park Sports Centre.

Wigan has made a habit of being unusual during Rock. It was a new venue to us, and was made possible by Hilary Young, a long-time friend and supporter of CMM and regular attendee at the Scargill music week. She stepped out in faith offering to hold a performance despite knowing that she'd need a lot of help that she didn't have at the time.

At the taster evening only 13 people attended, but God knew what he was doing as Trish Culshaw (later Trish Hill) offered to administrate the venue. Trish managed to secure a grant from the Mayor's office to cover the whole event, so any profit that was made would then go to the Lord Mayor's charity.

Wigan continued to be unusual by holding a previsit that stopped halfway through for a meal, and then the actual performance was held at 3.15pm - not 4pm as is our normal matinee time.

Despite torrential rain drumming on the roof and cold temperatures in the hall, the performance went very well. The 35 strong choir were fabulous, and the large audience very responsive. Clair did an excellent job stepping in to the role of Zillah, and the instrumentalists covered for Carole brilliantly (although "when the last clarinet's voice shall sound" doesn't have quite the same ring as trumpet!).

Following the performance the whole touring party was fed a pizza hut round the corner, and we had a lovely evening off relaxing at hosts.

Hilary, John and Trish - you did a wonderful job, and we pray that God will continue to give you fabulous projects in Wigan to share the gospel.

Tour 1 - Manchester

You may be forgiven for thinking that after such a busy weekend, the cast were given a week off... But no. The wonderful instrumentalists and dancers were, but it was straight back to work for the cast, and this time it was the understudies that were given a full workout by Darren. And it was certainly worth it, as will emerge shortly...

Saturday morning arrived, and the touring party made their way to Manchester. This was the first time we had been joined by Brenda Earnshaw - Brenda has taken over the job of running the wardrobe in Ann Parkin's absence. It is her job to ensure all the costumes are ironed and washed during the tour week, and then to help with all the quick costume changes backstage - ably assisted by Barrie Renwick.

We arrived in good time for lunch (except the technicians who had been snarled up in traffic), and were provided a delicious hot meal by the canteen at the Royal Northern College of Music. The meal had been paid for by a member of the Manchester choir and family in memory of her husband, who used to love singing in the musicals. Thank you so much.

The technicians Dave, Steve, Michael and Tom finally arrived and set up in double-quick time ready for the choir rehearsal and matinee performance. The Bruntwood theatre boasts a fabulous large stage and steeply tiered audience seating, so no-one has a poor view. The dancers had a special dressing room high up above and to one side of the stage, up a spiral staircase, which they seemed to enjoy.

Both performances at Manchester went very well - particularly because of the large, excellently trained choir. The evening performance was attended by Bishop Chris Edmundson - bishop of Bolton, and former warden of Lee Abbey. Chris is a long-standing friend of CMM, and it was great to be able to have him on stage at the beginning. Our fourth bishop in five performances!

Thanks go to Walter Brisk for his choir training, and Tony Wallwork and Chris Goddard for all their hard work organising the event.

Premiere part 2

After the first night nerves, the cast and choir were raring to go on the second day of our premiere weekend. We had two performances on the Sunday - a sellout matinee and a pretty full evening show. It turned out to be in God's plan that the Sunday night hadn't sold out, as the hall staff were able to slip in at the back and watch.

After Bishop David on the Saturday night, we had Bishop Michael Whinney - a great friend to Roger and CMM over the years - for the matinee performance, and Bishop Andrew Watson for the evening. Andrew had only become Bishop of Aston a couple of days before the performance. We were his first official engagement!

The camera crew stayed for the afternoon performance, which was a great relief for the cast so that they could iron out the little mistakes for the DVD.

So watch this space - the official Rock DVD is being pressed at this very moment, so they will be available very soon - hopefully before Christmas. Get your orders in now!

Time for some more thanks - this time to all those who have helped with the preparation of the musical:

Darren Close - worked incredibly hard producing the drama, sorting out the cast's appalling acting, and fitting the whole thing together.

Claire Close and Ann Parkin - designing and making the costumes. As you can see from the photos, they look absolutely amazing (they didn't make the Roman armour though...)

Sally Jones and Gill Johnson - choreography. The dancing really is stunning - there have been so many comments about the dance, particularly the crucifixion scene. Nice one.

Annie Routley - Annie's fabulous arrangements have added so much to the musical. The instrumentalists give the cast time to change costumes, sort props, while at the same time setting the mood for the next scene, giving the audience time to reflect, and sounding beautiful!

Jonathan Chappell, Martin Fisher and anyone else involved in sorting the props - this was not a small job for this musical, so thanks guys.

Mary Jones - the amazing unseen job of looking after Roger, and in combination with Richard Harvey, keeping the touring party well supplied with tea and coffee.

Roger Jones and Alison Fuggle - without your creativity and openness to the Holy Spirit, Rock would never have happened.

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.