On Friday 19th January, the Band of the Coldstream Guards joined residents of Epsom to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Epsom Playhouse.
Led by Director of music Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Halliday, the band performed an eclectic mix of music ranging from classic marches to hits from the West End.
As expected the band played with military precision, and there were some virtuous solos from all sections including a stunning performance of ‘Victors Tale’ from the film ‘The Terminal’ by principal clarinettist Lance Sergeant Natalie White.
The audience was delighted to see the concert organiser and former Senior Director of Music, Household Division, Cllr Dr Graham Jones MBE (RA Cuddington) pick up his baton once again to conduct the band, and encouraged the audience to participate in the encore in the ‘Radetzky March’ by Johann Strauss.
This concert has raised awareness and funds for the Epsom & Ewell Royal British Legion and the Epsom & Ewell Mayor’s Charities. With all programme sales being match funded by Barclays Bank.
We hope this will be the start of more world class bands coming to perform at Epsom Playhouse.
The Epsom and Ewell Times is proud to have supported the concert.
Claudia Jones – Reporter
Image courtesy Steven McCormick Photography
Lionel Blackman, who was in the original staff team of the Playhouse when it opened 40 years ago, writes:
40 years have passed since the Epsom Playhouse first opened its doors to professional and amateur performers alike. The Council head-hunted Graham Stansfield, a great professional, to kick-start the programme and establish the venue. The first management was in the hands of a then young and dynamic Robin Hodgkinson. The theatre came with the development of the Ashley Centre by the Bechtel Corporation. Originally the main hall’s retractable seating allowed the venue to host balls and exhibitions. Today it has fixed and comfortable seating for 406 and a smaller flexible hall space, The Myers, with a seating capacity of 80.
From those early years onward Epsom Playhouse attracted many high-class acts: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the bands of Humphrey Lyttleton, Kenny Ball and James Last. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and the Instant Sunshine entertainers came regularly. The world famous Stepan Grappelli once cast his magic violin over a sell-out audience and many many more through to today. Many of the UK’s top comedians will spend an evening in Epsom when on tour: Jack Dee, Count Arthur Strong, Harry Hill and many others. It remains the venue for the annual and very popular Christmas Pantomime.
The venue is the permanent home of local amateur talent the Epsom Symphony Orchestra and The Epsom Players among others.
The Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and all local residents who support the venue can be proud of The Epsom Playhouse and its 40 year roll-call of talent, opportunity and entertainment.
Why not give up an evening of Netflix or YouTube and see some live entertainment at your local venue? Visit www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk
