Dear All Imagine the scene. It is the grounds of Temple Newsam in Leeds. 40,000 people have turned up for a free concert, recorded for BBC TV, in which the soloists are a famous British opera star (recently turned dancer) and two well known artists from London's West End supported by some session singers, dancers and, oh yes, at the back there, an orchestra. The programme is 'Music from the Movies'.
During the afternoon, it poured with rain - the cameras had to be 'bagged' to keep them dry, ASMs rushed about with brooms keeping the apron of the stage (which projected well forward of the marquee) free of water. The backstage area became increasingly muddy but most of the orchestra, old hands at this particular kind of gig, had brought boots (of the walking or Wellington variety) which were swopped for shoes just out of camera shot. The orchestra van was backed right up to the entrance which the strings used so that cases could be put into it (therefore there was no danger of a player slipping with a �10,000 instrument). But of course, woodwind and brass had to leave theirs in the Bandtent. Miraculously, as happens so often in this part of England, the cooler air of late afternoon/early evening broke up the cloud. The skies cleared, the rain stopped, and it turned into a nice, if rather chilly, evening. And so the show started. The orchestra struck up with Bernstein's 'On the Town' music. The audience started to laugh - surely we don't sound that bad! A pigeon had got into the marquee and was flying about in the roof. Finally, it roosted on the safety chain of a spotlight. Well, we all know what happens if you get underneath a pigeon! As I write this, a team of BBC editors will be busy with their scissors. I am sure that the viewers will not be aware of what happened. Cheers Paul A. Kampen (W.Yorks - UK) _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] unsubscribe or set options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
