St. James's Church, Piccadilly, 7 August 2008

[Steve H]

Steve H

[Steve H]

For those who do not like close-ups of Hayley (look away NOW)

Steve H

[grant]

Before The Concert

My journey down to London was an uneventful one except, perhaps, for some of the weather we passed through. In fact, we pulled into London in heavy rain although, luckily it had stopped by the time we crossed the river on the way to Croydon. Once checked in at my Travelodge, I changed in readiness for the evening and headed back into town.

I arrived at St James’s at 3.40pm, there is no one I recognise outside or in the very busy market so I ventured inside. As soon as I stepped through the hallowed portals (this is where I first met Hayley almost three years ago) I heard a familiar voice – Hayley's!! In full song.

Consequently, I was quite surprised to find the church fully open and several people inside, but, as Hayley was in full flow, I stayed inconspicuously at the back until she took a break. I had spotted Gordon and Richard and went to join them, Mary and Trudy were sat just in front. Just then, Hayley spotted me and waved with a cheery “Hi!” Various members of the choir were about and so was Will who was also there to do a sound check.

It wasn’t until Richard turned to me and said “I’ve been waiting to hear Hayley sing without a mike, now I have I’m impressed!” I hadn’t noticed! Hayley's crisp, clear voice was still filling the church and even when she did, later on, sing with a mike, non of us could really tell the difference.

After about an hour, Steve, Hayley, Dame Malvina (who had arrived a short time after me) and I think, Will, went off for some refreshment. Hayley seemed very content and offered “See you all later” as she passed. With nothing to keep us, we retired to a tiny pub just off Jermyn Street to take care of our own needs foodwise.

We returned to St James’s at 5.40pm and joined the queue for tickets behind Mary and Trudy. Our party now comprised Richard, Gordon, Peter, Mark, Martin, James and Steve H, soon to be joined by Roger and Dave.

Whilst we were there, various members of the choir began to return, as did Will, Dame Malvina and Hayley although Hayley didn’t make it back inside straight away, spending a good few minutes browsing in the market and making a few purchases.

Eventually, a lady with a cash box appeared and began to collect money and hand out programmes. There was no mention of a list, there were, in fact, no tickets either, but we were now in another queue facing the one we had just left and would hopefully soon be let in.

More later
Grant

[Mark]

Hi Steve and everyone

Thanks for the wonderful photo's, once again Steve. Shame about the lady at the front thinking it was your camera making the noise

I must say that I was totally surprised to arrive at the church yesterday at around 3.45, to find the doors wide open and Hayley on stage in the middle of her sound check. Once I had waited for a suitable moment to walk up and take a seat (with Grant, Richard & Gordon, Mary and her friend), I realised that Hayley was singing without a microphone - in a setting like this, she simply doesn't need amplification

Things were very relaxed, with both Hayley and Will, along with Steve and presumably, Will's manager, chatting with us whilst they were working to get things right. This was a rare treat indeed.

A little later, a group of us retired to the Red Lion Pub round the corner, for a drink and a bite to eat. We were back at the church though for 5.30 to ensure the best seats. It was while we were in the queue, that we spotted Hayley doing a little shopping around the outdoor market, just outside the church. She confessed later that she had bought herself a new bag, in black - "well black goes with everything" were Hayley's exact words.

I had a word with Steve Abbott after the show who told me how much Hayley had been looking forward to this event and had actually cancelled a planned holiday to fit it in. Steve also said, that the concert was almost as good as going home for Hayley. A little taste of home in the middle of London

Hayley, if you enjoyed performing in the concert as much as we enjoyed watching it, you must be one very happy young lady today

Mark

[Stephany]

Steve, thank you very much for your excellent pictures. I'm just a tiny little bit jealous

Mark, the name of Will's manager is Paul. To answer the question you asked me earlier, I had a wonderful day as well thank you very much for asking. I actually had the great pleasure to see Kerry Ellis (one of the best British singers in musical theatre if not the best) perform in NYC.

Grant, like you I dont think I would have noticed it if Hayley was singing without mic. Having said that, it must be pretty impressive to hear her voice without any sound amplification.

Lots of love
Stephany xxx

[drew]

For anyone not watching the Olympics:

Ave Maria (Caccini)


There was another video camera on the balcony, I sincerely hope that he was not distracting Hayley.

[grant]

The concert and Hayley

Once inside, we found the best seats we could as most of the front rows had been reserved for sponsors – at least most of them appeared to have turned up as the church was pretty full by the time the concert began.

The choir were first on and, like many of us, I am not really a ‘choir’ person, but I did enjoy their very polished performance with even the youngest members performing impeccably. Then it was Will Martin’s turn to perform - a first for me. I had been quite amazed at the sound check to discover what a powerful voice he has for such a little fella! He is also a remarkably good pianist, accompanying himself for a couple of numbers.

In between, he chatted comfortably with the audience and made us laugh with the story of his ambition to be an All Black being crushed when he was 13, realising that all his school mates were now much bigger than he was.

More from the choir and then it was Dame Malvina’s turn on stage. It was probably this lady’s presence as much as anything that had persuaded me to book for this concert. Hayley has always spoken so very highly of her and it was, after all, Dame Malvina who had told Hayley all those years ago that she should follow her dream.

I was not disappointed!

Again, I’m no opera buff and I think someone has already defined Dame Malvina’s performance and I’m not technically qualified to go deeper but I did find myself quite in awe of this lady. I felt that it was a great privilege to hear her stunning voice and I felt goose bumps on my skin on more than one occasion as she sang. This amazing lady who had, not more than an hour previously had greeted and been greeted by many of the people queuing for tickets and had even had a smile for those of us she didn’t know!

We had to wait until after the interval for Hayley's performance. Radiant as always, she strode on to the stage, the same stage that she had walked onto for the very first time for me back in September 2005. Hayley said that she felt really honoured to have been asked to take part in the concert and followed up with “Right now I feel very proud to be a Christchurch girl!” which earned her a round of applause.

Accompanied by Kirsty, she sang “Pokarekare Ana” , Caccini's "Ave Maria" and “Lascia Ch’io Pianga” absolutely beautifully and was then joined by Dame Malvina for “Barcarolle” (thanks for sorting that out guys!) No mike either! WOW!! The audience really liked that and showed their approval with one of the longest ovations that I can remember.

The choir, then Dame Malvina performed again with Hayley joining her for an amazing rendition of “Hine”. Throughout both the duets, it was clear that Hayley had the utmost respect for Dame Malvina and although taller Hayley looked up to her. I hope I don’t have to wait long to hear them duet together again. It really was the icing on a most spectacular cake.

The Dame, Hayley and Will joined the choir for the final number which got another extremely long ovation with, ultimately, everyone in the church on their feet. The principals left the stage followed by the choir and I noticed Hayley step aside for the choir to pass, offering a greeting or a smile to each and every one. Just Hayley being Hayley.

A large percentage of the audience hung around at the end. I suspect many had friends in the choir or some part of the entourage. Clearly Dame Malvina knew many of those that were present.

Eventually Hayley appeared complete with bouquet of flowers and her shopping. I asked her if that was the first time that she had sung with Dame Malvina in public and she confirmed that it was and that she had had an amazing time with everyone and had loved every minute. I also teased her about her handbag by asking her how many she had now. She had to think for a minute but came to the conclusion that it was only three.

Despite the fact that she was ‘rushing off’ to an embassy reception, we must have had about ten minutes with her and, as we shook hands I remembered something I wanted to ask her. When I’d finished, I realised that I was still holding her hand. I guess I really didn’t want to let her go.

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

Hi Drew

The video's are stunning! Thanks for sharing.

Best wishes
Grant

[Steve H]

Steve H

[Steve H]

Steve H

[natalie]

Fantastic reviews great photos
Thanks everyone

[Steve H]

That's it for tonight, but to finish a few candid photo's

Dame Malvina Major and members of the ChristChurch Cathedral Choir



Hayley deep in thought



Hayley with her manager Steve Abbott



Hayley in conversation



Hayley shopping!

Steve H

[Paddy]

Aug 8, 2008 16:07:03 GMT drew said:

For our friends in Dublin, Cumbria and all Kiwis and Kiwi lovers.

Pokarekare Ana like you have never seen before (unless you were in the front row at St. James's).

(60mb)

Hi, Drew,

Surprise! Surprise! Your excellent HD plays in Ashford too.

Thanks for watching the concert for me:

Your generosity and expertise are much appreciated.


I'm curious though: does your camcorder start recording when Hayley smiles?


Paddy

[martindn]

Wow and double wow! This must have been amazing. I really wish I had been there, and thanks to all of you who reported on this, and for the photos and videos. It really brings it to life for we poor deprived souls who could not be there.
Once again thanks Drew for the videos. The development of Hayley's voice is amazing. If you compare Hayley's Pokarekare Ana with the one on Pure, the Pure version is like skimmed milk, and this is like thick rich cream Fabulous!
The problem I have is that every concert of Hayley's that I have ever been to was special. But some, I am beginning to realise are extra special, and I think this was one.
I would have loved to hear the other artists too, Dame Malvina, Will and the choir. Those duets with Hayley must have been priceless.
Memories of shows like that last forever. And it hurts hat I couldn't be there.

Martin

[larryhauck]

Steve,

The eyes have it. Great photos.

Larry