Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Well, yes, it is a bit nippy this morning but I’m referring to the swing duet which I may, or may not, be singing during the Spalding Christmas Lights Switch-On, Sunday 17 November, in the town’s marketplace.

Our AmDram group, SADOS (Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) have been involved in the entertainment at this event over the last couple of years. Last year we performed a mixture of musical theatre numbers plus Christmas tunes. You may remember I shocked the local children with my rendition of The Pogues ‘Fairytale of New York‘: singing the word ‘arse’ in public was mighty satisfying.

This year the date has been brought forward to the middle of November, a few days before we open at the South Holland Centre with our play, Hi-de-Hi. So, boxing clever, we have decided to make our set a 50s compilation, to link with the era in which the production is set. It’s making a pleasant change at rehearsals to be singing a different kind of song: we have an Elvis, Buddy Holly and even Marilyn Monroe is making an appearance. Plus, last night we experimented with an a capella version of ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ which gave us all such a buzz we left rehearsals on a real high.

As for me, I thought I was just joining in for the ensemble numbers, with a small verse in ‘Holiday Rock’ which is the Hi-de-Hi theme tune. However, our MD, Craig, and I have been cooking up something this week and decided to give a couple of duets a go. At rehearsals last night we sang along to the backing track for ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ as well as the song from the Tropicana advert, ‘How Do You Like Your Eggs in the Morning’. We can’t decide which one we prefer and, on a show of hands, the rest of the group couldn’t decide either. Any thoughts?

Slightly worried that, as we are meant to be publicising our show on that date, those of us in the cast who are also in the choir, will be asked to wear our costumes. As mine is a bright yellow blazer and very small white shorts, I’m hoping for mild weather. Either that, or extra thick denier American Tan tights may be the order of the day.

Just to let you know what else we’ve been up to on the singing front. A few weeks ago we joined up with Holbeach Town Band to perform in a concert at Rory’s school. It was a great night – the band did a set, we did our musical numbers then we all joined together for a medley from Mary Poppins, Oliver and Oklahoma. Best part of the night, apart from my not-bad rendtion of ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ from Jesus Christ Superstar, was re-enacting my part as Laurey from Oklahoma which I last performed in 2006. Amazing how the words and memories came flooding back.

Indulge me with my reminiscing. Here’s a couple of photos of me on stage in 2006 with Craig taking the part of Curly, followed by a photo taken at the end of the recent concert, with me looking like I’m in charge…which I wasn’t….I just happened to be in the middle at just the right time!