CHARITY COMMUNITY SHOWCASE

Civic Theatre

16.03.08

Scores of Chelmsford performers gave their time and their talents to support the Mayor's Charities – CHESS and the YMCA - in a variety bill sponsored by Essex and Suffolk Water.

The bill was topped by an unassuming Daniel de Bourg, who won the audience with an a cappella Umbrella, and an X Factor number for which he shared the stage with his tiny son Theron.

He also led the assembled forces in a fitting Finale – With A Little Help from My Friends, conducted by Simon Warne.

Warne was there to conduct the Boreham Ladies' Choir, who ended the First Act with an enjoyable set of Sondheim and spirituals, including a complex arrangement of Nobody Knows.

The Cathedral Primary School choir sang some worship songs, including the popular Jackson/Miller Let There Be Peace. The other local school involved was Boswells, who fielded their excellent Band, with its frenetic front man. Equally impressive was retro singer songwriter Robert Jerome, with big-band backing tracks and some of his own work, including Sandra's Song.

Genial compère David Hylands also introduced the Focus Youth Dance Company from essexdance, the Essex Caledonian Pipeband, and Young Gen, giving us a tantalising taste of Smokey Joe's Café, coming to the Cramphorn on April 14.