Weaving magical treats

OLDHAM Choral Society took two of Gilbert and Sullivan’s sparkling operettas and turned them into an evening of pure joy for the expectant audience.

Under the baton of Nigel P Wilkinson, the society and the National Festival Orchestra with soloists Donald Maxwell Kathleen Wilkinson, Claire Lees, Philip J Hindle, James Elliot, Stephanie Stanway and James Ogden were brought together to weave musical magic.

Chairman Fred Jones said: “The choir looks forward to this end-of-term treat, mainly because of the wonderful soloists and Donald Maxwell’s terrific narration. It’s like a night out for us as well as the audience.”

The group’s performance of music from “Ruddigore”didn’t grab the audience with its ghosts, witches and curses as it should - more narrative was necessary so the audience could know what was going on.

But the Gondoliers lived up to the society’s high G&S standards. Ninety six members — including 10 who danced the hornpipe — moved through their selected pieces with enthusiasm and verve.

Oldham Choral Society continues its programme with “An Italian Gala” on November 15 at Manchester’s Royal National College of Music.

SF