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Post by drew on Jun 2, 2007 8:43:12 GMT
Sorry to spoil your evening Dave but I have just booked Stalls G 1-10. Well at least you will have a big Hayley fan beside you. Gordon Dave, If I had known that there would be two vacant seats beside you during the concert we might have kept you company. Gini and I were up in the choir, catching a good glimpse of Hayley and Debbie as they left stage for the green room. Incidentally, Gini and I were seated in G1 8 and 9 last Saturday to see Simply Red. I shall certainly try for that area in future, it gives a very good view of the front of stage and avoids the neck ache often experienced from the floor of the stalls. It was an excellent concert with familiar music played beautifully by the RPO. We were left humming themes on the journey home. It was a privilege to witness Hayley and Debbie Wiseman with the premiere performance of Flood. Sad that we only had the one number from Hayley but a delight to hear and see her so radiant after a few days rest from her American tour. The song was not memorable, it certainly needs more airplay. I hope that we shall hear it on Classic Fm as a result of this concert and the premiere of the film at the Rome Film Festival in July. Did anyone have a chance to meet with Hayley or did she escape for an early night during the interval? Looking forward to a longer session of (almost) pure Hayley in Yorkshire. |
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Post by Richard on Jun 2, 2007 8:51:37 GMT
Hello everybody!  It was an enjoyable evening at the Royal Albert Hall last night, although I'm not really a great lover of films or film music. I just happened to be in the right place outside the Royal Albert Hall when Hayley arrived in a minicab, so I took the opportunity to shake hands and welcome her back to London on behalf of all of us at HWI. I didn't hold her up in any way, and when I realised she was heading for the wrong door I quickly escorted her to the stage door, which brought back memories of the London Palladium in March 2004. Gordon was the next to arrive, and we were sitting on the wall chatting when a voice said 'Hi guys!' We looked up and there was Hayley accompanied by Kathryn Nash, heading off to get something to eat, so we gave them a quick wave as they walked past. Before long Roger, Dave and Peter Such arrived, but we didn't see Drew or Lothar. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Paul Bateman and lead by Clio Gould on the violin. I won't give the full set list, but they played themes from blockbusters including Pirates of the Caribbean, Out of Africa, Gladiator, E T, Star Wars, Superman, Jaws, Jurassic Park and many more. The music was good, but most of it was perhaps too familiar to be really memorable. The exception was during the first half when Debbie Wiseman took the podium as a guest conductor for her dramatic music from Arsène Lupin. Then Hayley was introduced, and there was quite a gasp of delight from the audience as she glided down the stairs to the stage wearing a stunning blue dress. She sang the title song from 'Flood', also composed and conducted by Debbie Wiseman, and she gave a beautiful performance as always. Hayley only sang the one song, and she didn't take a bow at the end of the concert, so we decided not to wait around at the end of the show and headed off towards South Kensington station. It was an enjoyable evening, but I have to admit a whole concert of film music isn't really to my taste. Hayley's excellent performance was definitely the highlight for me. Best Wishes, Richard  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jun 2, 2007 9:00:42 GMT
Hello Richard
Many thanks for the prompt review from last night's concert. I'm also pleased that you bumped into Hayley and passed on HWI's welcome (you always seem to be in the right place at the right time!).
Do you know if there were any photos taken?
Best wishes
Martin
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Post by Richard on Jun 2, 2007 9:04:57 GMT
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Post by Mark on Jun 2, 2007 11:03:19 GMT
Hi Richard Many thanks for your report. I'm really pleased that you got to say "Hi" to Hayley and to welcome her back to the UK from all of us  Just 2 days and a number of hours until I see her in Cardiff i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifBest wishes Mark |
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Post by postscript on Jun 2, 2007 13:19:56 GMT
Drew quoted Gordon. Sorry to spoil your evening Dave but I have just booked Stalls G 1-10. Well at least you will have a big Hayley fan beside you.
Gordon Then Drew went on to reply to Dave. Dave,
If I had known that there would be two vacant seats beside you during the concert we might have kept you company. Gini and I were up in the choir, catching a good glimpse of Hayley and Debbie as they left stage for the green room.
That was an interesting move of Hayley's, stepping across the conductor's rostrum. I thought for a moment she was going to conduct the orchestra herself! 
You must have been adjacent but lower down and more behind the orchestra than me then, as I could see Gordon and Dave. They would have had to look 60 degrees up from the angle of their seating, slightly skewiff in their seats. This meant I saw Hayley descend the long staircase to the stage in that lovely flowing, almost-to-the-ankles brilliant blue gown. You may not have had as good a view of her singing whereas I did, although mostly a side and back view but of course it is the voice that was all important!
Incidentally, Gini and I were seated in G1 8 and 9 last Saturday to see Simply Red. I shall certainly try for that area in future, it gives a very good view of the front of stage and avoids the neck ache often experienced from the floor of the stalls.
That is interesting information, Drew. I was irritated with a couple of love birds in the row in front of canoodling but frequently leaning full forwards to view and thus cutting off my vision quite drastically. I therefore determined I would never take cheap seats again, my reason this time being the tenner was easier to write off if healthwise I found I didn't have the strength to make it on the day.
Seeing Dave and Gordon sitting slightly skew on their seats for a more direct view of the stage it was the stalls I had in mind for next time.
Having said that I remembered why I haven't been to the Albert Hall for such a long time--it is such a pain to get there. Arriving I was on a very crowded circle line train that was hot and sticky--and running late! Emerging from High Street Kensington I made for Magee's but they seemed busy so blundered into Café Rouge (both up Kensington Church Street) for a quick Breton chicken before ambling along to the Hall, where I met
Roger, Gordon, Richard (who had a lovely tale to tell which I am sure he has already posted!) and then Dave.
Returning I couldn't face the Circle line again so grabbed a cab. Prices have gone up a lot since I last took a London cab especially since the streets were largely clear (very pleasant experience in fact) but that compensated for the cheap seat!
It was an excellent concert with familiar music played beautifully by the RPO. I totally agree. We were left humming themes on the journey home.
It was a privilege to witness Hayley and Debbie Wiseman with the premiere performance of Flood. Sad that we only had the one number from Hayley but a delight to hear and see her so radiant after a few days rest from her American tour. The song was not memorable, it certainly needs more airplay. I hope that we shall hear it on Classic Fm as a result of this concert and the premiere of the film at the Rome Film Festival in July.
Interesting possibility--more exposure for Hayley. My reaction was that I certainly wanted to hear it again. The 'unmemorability' of the song didn't strike me in that way. The way I received the song was that it was not a song at all, as such. What Debbie Wiseman was doing was using the human voice as an instrument of the orchestra. It struck me as very moving, very poignant. I am wondering if it will be played simply as a credit or if she envisaged certain visual shots with the voice. I found it powerful and certainly I want to hear it again. Unfortunately I could not hear the words (nor could I always hear the commentator, nor could many others up in my area), how was speech sound for you? While they are supposed to have done much regarding the acoustics in the latest very major uplift, up in the Gods, especially if you are somewhat behind the speakers, which we obviously were, speech is not ideal.
Did anyone have a chance to meet with Hayley or did she escape for an early night during the interval?
Looking forward to a longer session of (almost) pure Hayley in Yorkshire. Incidentally, Richard, do you know? I believe the Albert Hall was built with its own underground station which is still there. They never got round to connecting the lines to it! If that were to be opened, I might use it more often. Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Jun 2, 2007 13:31:02 GMT
Hello everybody! It was an enjoyable evening at the Royal Albert Hall last night, although I'm not really a great lover of films or film music... ...Hayley only sang the one song, and she didn't take a bow at the end of the concert, so we decided not to wait around at the end of the show and headed off towards South Kensington station. It was an enjoyable evening, but I have to admit a whole concert of film music isn't really to my taste. Hayley's excellent performance was definitely the highlight for me. Best Wishes, Richard Nor mine although there was much to enjoy, but music I already have on CD (mostly). I too was there purely for Hayley and that made it worth while short though her presence was. I am looking forward to hopefully seeing her for at least a greeting on Monday. I very nearly came round to see you all afterwards, just to hover, as you guys weren't going to see her again for awhile and I was, hopefully so wouldn't have taken her time but glad I didn't. My immediate taxi ride saved me at least an hour of journey time as a result of catching two trains earlier than would have been the case had I stopped to chat or taken the Circle line. Peter S. |
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Post by postscript on Jun 2, 2007 13:40:56 GMT
Hello Richard Many thanks for the prompt review from last night's concert. I'm also pleased that you bumped into Hayley and passed on HWI's welcome (you always seem to be in the right place at the right time!). Do you know if there were any photos taken? Best wishes Martin Interesting. I did not see any camera police yet someone (not our guys I'm sure) was using FLASH! For once, I think we all came like ordinary people to hear a concert. Certainly I came in one of my more simple modes--basically dressed with just a rolled-up collapsible umbrella. On the other hand Roger, I hope he won't mind me mentioning this, looked as if he was about to head off to the north pole--or the First World War trenches! Perhaps it rains more heavily in his neck of the woods and threatened more convincingly than from where I hail. Aah! Perhaps that was it--hail forecasts in Roger's area!  Peter S. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jun 2, 2007 14:30:12 GMT
Interesting. I did not see any camera police yet someone (not our guys I'm sure) was using FLASH! For once, I think we all came like ordinary people to hear a concert. Peter S. Hi Peter, Not all! I managed to get a few snatched photos of Hayley but this was tricky because a) Hayley was only on for three minutes or so. b) she and her fixed mic were angled slightly to her left and I was near the right hand edge of the stage. Hayley stubbornly refused to look round at me except for a brief moment or two when she had finished, as Gordon can testify. c) The lighting was too much overhead, which put some of Hayley's facial features in shadow, giving a harsh look to any close-up photos. d) I was seated directly behind a red suited usherette who looked very stern indeed. This was proven later, when first she removed a plastic beaker from Gordon, ordering him to drink from his plastic bottle (seriously!) then she ordered another member of the audience to put his glass drink bottle away into his bag. It's true!!! However, her head did drop a few inches below the parapet when seated, and then I got a few snatched shots. And I did get to photograph the dress, which will especially please some of you I'll post them later today. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by postscript on Jun 2, 2007 16:52:33 GMT
Oh boy, Dave. That is perseverance and dedication rolled into one stalwart HWI member! Peter S. |
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Post by Stephany on Jun 3, 2007 5:08:27 GMT
Hi everyone, I'm pleased to see that you all enjoyed your evening at the Royal Albert Hall. Richard, thanks a lot for the great report. Always at the good place at the right time, right? Dave, I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures particularly knowing what you had to overcome to get them. Best wishes, Stephany |
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Post by Richard on Jun 3, 2007 7:49:09 GMT
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Post by gordon on Jun 3, 2007 10:54:49 GMT
Will look forward to seeing your photos Dave knowing what trouble you had in getting decent shots.Still at least you did not get arrested by the Gestapo!!!
Best Wishes
Gordon
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Post by grant on Jun 3, 2007 18:02:23 GMT
Hey Dave! Where's this gorgeous dress you promised to show us?  Best wishes Grant |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jun 4, 2007 0:29:22 GMT
Hi guys, sorry about the delay but there really isn't much to show, just a handful of snatched shots before and after the one song - the World Premiere from Flood. Hayley resolutely declined to look in my direction long enough to get a decent shot. I had hoped she would return for a second song and then, I would have been much bolder... but it was not to be. Here they are.. and that's it.  Debbie Wiseman conducts the RPO as Hayley awaits her cue Hayley receives her accolade from Debbie and the audience Hayley as she is about to leave the stage with Debbie Cheers, Dave |
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