classical actors and open air classics

By Catherine Jones on Jul 28, 08 01:42 PM

After the Tall Ships extravaganza, it was a relief to draw breath - albeit briefly - last week.
Although having my roof repaired wasn't really the respite I'd been thinking of.
By Friday and Lipa graduation I was ready to go again.
Macca seems to be almost living in the city this year, with his appearance at the Philharmonic Hall the third "public" visit in three months.
An talking of Phil, I tootled up to Southport on Saturday evening to see Petrenko conduct the orchestra at an open air concert.
More of that in a minute.

This year's Lipa companions (the equivalent of honorary degrees) included veteran stage and screen star John Hurt, singer-songwriter Cathy Dennis and legendary record producer Trevor Horn who revealed that when he announced as a 17 year old that he wanted to be a producer his mum had cried.
She still thinks he ought to have been an accountant.
I had the chance for a chat with John Hurt afterwards...and he turned out to be very chatty and good humoured.
Former Inny head boy Steven Norris, who was also there, came over and told him what a huge fan he was etc etc.
I'm afraid despite admiring John Hurt's acting abilities, I told him what a stirer he was!! He'd described Lipa as being "life immitating art" because whereas TV had had to make up the Kids from Fame, here was that school in reality.
I've always understood Lipa doesn't like being described as a "Fame" school so I assumed that may set the cat among the pigeons.
I also had a chat with Sandi Thom who graduated five years ago but had come back with a guest.
She did a Q & A with the students a few months ago which I was lucky enough to attend, and where she played some beautiful acoustic versions of songs from her latest album.
Anyway, as I said, on Saturday evening I hopped in the car and headed up the A565 to Southport (via Waitrose at Formby for vital picnic food) to see the Summer Classics with the RLPO.
The last time I saw Petrenko and the Phil attempt an open air concert it absolutely sleeted it down and they had to move the entire orchestra back off the edge of the stage because their instruments were getting wet.
No such problems this weekend when the weather was balmy and beautiful.
Sefton Schools Opera were also there performing Itoku which I had missed at Liverpool Cathedral earlier in the year but which is really excellent if you get the chance to hear it.
All in all it was a very entertaining evening which ended with the requisite fireworks and populist 1812 Overture plus a flag waving Pomp and Circumstance.