Hurtwood Park Polo Club 25th August 2007

[comet]

Hi Folks.

Here is the smart bit, PURE is back in the shops everywhere,
Hayley sings one of the most beautiful songs from it and the NEW audience makes enquiries and finds Hayley has material prior to West Side Story and Treasure.
Who's a clever girl then ?

comet

[drew]

dave said:

Here is what Hayley (and all the turning heads) saw - the moon was low down directly behind the audience and this is the photo I took of it, a few minutes later... it was a striking sight for Hayley... and everyone!
Dave

No doubt all the Kiwis at Shepherd's Bush will be given the task to paint it black (with a small fern leaf motif) before the first match on 8th September.


Excellent pictures Dave, thank you. I look forward to the main couurse.

[grant]

“Proms At The Park” Hurtwood Polo Club Ewhurst. Surrey

Part 1

Driving a long distance on motorways, including the M25, on a steaming hot Bank Holiday Saturday was never going to seem like a good idea, even though it was to see “my special girl”! For that reason, I gave myself plenty of time and set off at 10am. It was a sensible decision as it turned out, as what I considered should have taken 2¾ to 3 hours, took exactly 4, and that was only to the Travelodge in Guildford!

At least now I have time to freshen up, have a coffee and change before setting out on the last leg of my journey. Surrey is a truly remarkable county. Having decided to get to the venue via country lanes ( a decision prompted by a lumbering motor home!) I passed several delightful villages; two of which had cricket matches underway on the village green.

Signposting to “Proms At The Park” is not very helpful. There are signs at some of the junctions but no arrows indication direction! Luckily I made only one wrong turn and arrived in good time. As I turned past the club house, I spotted Hayley outside the performers marquee, but she had her back to me and was just a bit to far away to shout a greeting.

Gordon and Roger arrived soon after 4pm. Roger keen to announce that “West Side Story” was in at number one!! Excellent news!! Hayley was already into her sound check as we entered the concert arena and I was worried that we were missing most of it. I need not have worried because, as Roger has already pointed out, she gave us most of the concert and was actually on stage for the best part of 90 minutes.

There were several small groups already set up as we selected our ‘plot’ and got established. Hayley had spotted us immediately and given an acknowledging wave and a comment. I had expected Roger to mention WSS, but as he didn’t and as Hayley wasn’t actually singing, I shouted the news across to her. I guess she heard OK as I got a double thumbs up and a big grin.

So, we sat in the sunshine, baking, listening to Hayley do her sound check and watching her interact with the sound guys and the orchestra. This part always fascinates me as she gives little hand signals and finger movements to suggest ‘tiny bit less’ or ‘up a bit’. She must be a pleasure to work with as she always seems to know exactly what she wants and how to achieve it with very little fuss at all.

By the time we got around to “Rule Britannia” and “Land Of Hope And Glory”, it was close on 5.30pm and quite a few more people had arrived. Hayley addressed us saying that it was now our turn to practice, inviting us to join in. Some did, but I was munching my way through a pear at the time so excused myself!

[dutchjoyce]

Hi Grant,
just finished my coffee,in the garden, we have lovely weather.
But now, i went back to the computer, because i was waiting for your report!!! As always, it is a pleasure to read, and it makes my sunday just better, as it already was.
Just reading your first report, i was thinking,
When will your first book come out, with all those lovely reports &
With all the photograph's you made, it should be a BESTSELLER. I have allready a good name for the book.
Grant's diary, from concert to be...HAYLEYWOWED!!
(or does anyone have another???)
Thanks JOYCE.

[Karsten]

Hi Dave, Roger and Grant,

thanks a lot for your reports and pictures. Looking forward to the continuation...

Karsten

[grant]

Part 2

And so to the concert itself. It is disappointing to learn that because of the dreadful summer weather up until this last week, ticket sales have been poor with only about 1000 sold. Nevertheless, there is a colourful selection of enthusiastic supporters with varying levels of outdoor furniture and attire. There is even a Norwegian flag flying! As Dave said in an earlier post, there is an area for blankets at the front, then chairs, with gazebo’s at the rear. We are in the front row of chairs and not too far from the club room patio which today comprises the stage.

The orchestra got the ball rolling with several pieces and, although I enjoy classical music, prior to discovering Hayley, I had never paid much attention to orchestra’s. Since ‘Christmas Presence’ and ‘Different Voices’ however, I’ve become much more appreciative. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra are superb and performed magnificently all night.

Soon it was Hayley’s turn and she appeared in her now familiar ‘blue on blue’ dress to sing her first three songs. Although most of tonight’s songs are familiar to me. I’m not used to the orchestral backing for the majority of them, so they ‘feel’ different!

After another selection from the orchestra, Hayley returned to stage to sing “Prayer”, Then one I’d been waiting for, “River of Dreams”, an interesting choice as has already been commented on. Hayley did say, I think, that it was one of her favourites that she hadn’t sung for a while. I guess she though it would sound good with orchestral accompaniment and, of course, she wasn’t wrong!

For her final song before the interval, Hayley began to talk about New Zealand and ‘Lord Of The Rings’. This evening she seemed quite impressed by the number of hands that went up to the question “Who’s been to New Zealand?” Following “May It Be” there was a twenty minute interval.

After an opening selection from the orchestra, Hayley returned to stage in her long green ‘Celtic’ gown. It’s obviously not just us that like that dress either, as I heard several murmurs of approval as Hayley glided into position behind her microphone to sing “Scarborough Fair” and then another newish one to me, “Lascia Ch’io Pianga”.

I think it must have been after this, whilst Hayley was talking about In Trutina and the discovery of the poems that, during a momentary lapse of concentration, she had a slight accident. She was attempting to free the microphone from it’s stand and it stubbornly refused to budge! That is, until Hayley decided to look for the cause of the problem, at which point in came free and made painful contact with her lower lip. “Oww! That hurt” winced a very polite but startled Hayley.

After “Danny Boy” (which got some very approving comments from an Irish American gentleman sitting behind me) and “Hine e Hine”, Hayley left the stage once again in the capable hands of the orchestra. Thing were starting to warm up for the finale as they got us going with a rousing rendition of “Sailor’s Hornpipe” Good timing that was, after the glorious daytime weather, it had turned decidedly cold and damp and we were seriously in need of some warming exercise. Hayley had commented a little earlier about how warm it was when the concert began “Now I can see my breath!” she had giggled.

I had wondered whether or not we would be treated to the red dress for the Proms Finale, and I was not disappointed. So two more songs that I have not heard Hayley sing live before are added to the list. Firstly “Rule Britannia" and then “Land Of Hope And Glory”. Nor had I anticipated the fireworks which started erupting overhead.

Now I have to make an admission, I have never been to a Proms Concert before and I guess the whole ending bit took me by surprise. Our gorgeous Hayley, amazing fireworks lighting up the night sky, patriotic arm and flag waving and not forgetting the standing ovation and cheering. That was a “Hayleywowing” with a difference and a very emotional one at that!

But it didn’t end there! There was no way Hayley was going anywhere, she didn’t even manage to get out of sight before she was turned round and headed back to the microphone! “I do have another one prepared” she giggled, rounding the night off with “Amazing Grace”. Bringing to an end my seventeenth Hayley concert.

[roger]

grant said:

After “Danny Boy” (which got some very approving comments from an Irish American gentleman sitting behind me)...

That reminds me. 'Danny Boy' seemed to get a particularly enthusiastic response from the audience. I was quite sure the applause was the loudest and most prolonged of any song so far. Apparently, Hayley noticed it as well because she asked, "Did you like that one?".

'Danny Boy' is one of those songs that we have all heard countless times, sung by so many singers. When you see it on a tracklisting, you might be inclined to discount it as a "filler". When Hayley sings it, it is certainly no filler. It is a highlight of any concert and an absolute joy to listen to. Consequently, there was a resounding "yes" and a roar of appreciation in response to her question.

Thanks for the first two parts of your report, Grant. I can't wait to see what happened next!

Roger

[grant]

Thanks Roger

I'd forgotten Hayley's remarks about Danny Boy and from the way she talks about it, it is also very special to her. This was one song I would probably have begged her not to include had I been given the opportunity as I absolutely hated it!

Guess what? Now I love it and for the same reasons you give Roger. Anyway, I digress! You wanted to know what happened next so, sit back, relax, and I'll tell you.

Part 3

It is always a dilemma, especially at this sort of event where there is no obvious ‘stage door’ as to what to do to maximise our chances of having a few words with Hayley before she heads for home. We have already established that Erika from Bedlam is with her, if we can get word to her….

It is soon clear, however, that Hayley has not yet managed to ‘escape’ to her dressing room and is still chatting at the back of the stage area. One of the club officials is soon made aware of who we are and that we would ‘like a word’ if she could get a word to Erika – she does! And Erika is over in a flash and is very chatty and friendly.

It wasn’t long before Hayley came over with a “Hey, here you are” to Erika and a “Hi” to our little group which has begun to grow as several people have tagged on “Oooh maybe we can meet Hayley too?” Was that Hayley’s way of getting away from ‘them others’ so she could be with us for a few minutes? You’d like to think so wouldn’t you? She’s very resourceful, so anything’s possible.

It would have helped a bit if the club officials had allowed this fairly small gathering onto the patio but there was a rope barrier about 2 feet in front of it which we weren’t allowed to cross, requiring Hayley to lean precariously towards us for fear of her high heels sinking into the still soft ground.

Eventually, she risked it. Must be quite an art to standing on your toes whilst wearing 4” heels! One of the sound guys bought over one of the metal speaker stands for her to stand on although it had a 12” tube protruding from it and I was just a bit concerned that if Hayley tripped over that, it wouldn’t have been her heels sinking into the soft ground!

Considering recent events, she seemed her normal bubbly self and happily chatted away, signing a few CD inserts and having her photo taken. Dave got one of Hayley with his daughter Amanda and I thought it very sweet that Hayley gave her a hug as well.

Gordon provided the chocolate, handing it to Erika for safe keeping. I had a “congratulations on your new home” card for her which she seemed pleased to receive. I explained that I hadn’t been able to say what I felt at Beverley so had decided to put it in a card.

I added (and this is the clever bit) that if she hadn’t been sat behind the table at Beverley, I would probably have given her a big hug. She reacted exactly the way I had hoped she would and Grant got his hug!! So I was very happy and I guess still feeling quite emotional as we said our goodbyes and began to make our way back to our cars.

That’s about it then, another one done, just a final comment now I’ve seen the red dress close up (very close up!) I have to say that it is now “My other favourite dress!” The green one being a ‘gown’ one could argue, therefore, that you cannot really compare them as like for like.

Now I suppose I better go and see if any of my pictures are any good!

Bye for now!
Grant

[Richard]

Thanks for the excellent reports, Roger and Grant, and for the photographs, Dave!

Hayley is clearly not letting the news from France affect her performances, which again demonstrates her true professionalism. Now I'm looking forward to seeing more photographs, please!

Best Wishes,

Richard

[roger]

grant said:

It wasn’t long before Hayley came over with a “Hey, here you are” to Erika and a “Hi” to our little group which has begun to grow as several people have tagged on “Oooh maybe we can meet Hayley too?”

Well, they didn't actually tag on as such. They had asked me earlier if they may do so and I had readily agreed. I spoke at some length with one of them (whom I sat next to during the concert) and he told me he is a regular visitor to HWI and was very complimentary about it. Initially, he had no idea of my involvement and seemed somewhat surprised when I told him!

Roger

[grant]

Hello again

Here are a few pictures from the sound check. We were asked not to take pictures at this time, essentially because the orchestra were in 'civvies' - looking at the complete image I can see why in some cases, hence the need to crop!

I got these off before an official young lady (actually the one that was so helpful at the end of the concert) spotted me and asked me to stop. I agreed 'cos she called me "honey"

Anyway, if any one asks, you haven't seen them and I didn't take them. OK?







Just in case you haven't noticed, I think Hayley has changed her hair style slightly.

Anyway, I ended up sat next to these two suspicious looking characters!



Best wishes
Grant

[roger]

grant said:

I agreed 'cos she called me "honey"

Thanks for the first three pictures that you *didn't* take, Honey!

Could a moderator edit the bloke on the left of the last picture... preferably by about 30 years?

Roger

[Karsten]

Hi Grant,

your SLR is simply too big to hide.

Or looked you as suspicious as the two other gentlemen ?

All the best,

Karsten

[roger]

Gentlemen? You sure you're looking at the right thread?

Roger

[grant]

roger said:

Could a moderator edit the bloke on the left of the last picture... preferably by about 30 years?

Roger

Photoshop is good but not THAT good!!

Best wishes
Grant