Bath Forum - 12th December 2009

[Richard]

Thanks for the wonderful photographs, Karsten!

Hayley looks absolutely fabulous as usual. I see she was accompanied by Tim Evans on piano, Kerenza Peacock on violin and Andy Moore on guitar.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Martin]

Hi All Bathers!

Thank you for your initial reports and Karsten for the photos. In fact Karsten must have been completely Hayleywowed after concert since he ends his last post with the sentance:

Greetings from a cold Bath,

Karsten

Martin

[postscript]

Congratulations Karsten,

That photo angle and quality detail is unusual. Well done. [hwi.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Concert&action=display&thread=4674&page=6#109388].

Peter S.

[david]

Wow, excellent photos Karsten, Hayley looks so beautiful! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Thanks for posting them here, look forward to hearing more about this concert in the coming days!

David

[grant]

We’re Hayley Supporters
Enjoyed a trouble free journey to Bath via Bristol and was pleased to find Thomas waiting for me as I left the station. Together we walked to my hotel for me to check in and, as my room was ready, I washed and changed quickly before making our way to Bath Forum where Ben and Karsten were already awaiting Hayley’s arrival. It’s a windy old corner by the main entrance to the venue but we stuck it out being joined by Mark, Martin and Sue, Charles and Ameliana and Keith. At one point an elderly gentleman stopped to enquire the reason for our being there, “We’re Hayley supporters” I told him. “That’s OK then” he replied “I’m a Stoke City supporter”.

The minibus appeared at 3.20pm with Gianmarco at the helm but in the wrong lane. Frantic hand signals from us but mainly Karsten guided him in the right direction after a friendly bus driver let him through! There followed a bit of shuffling of cars and moving of traffic cones to enable Gianmarco to park and disembark his precious cargo.

After a few minutes, Hayley appeared, well wrapped up in her red coat with a scarf covering the lower part of her face. She told us that she had a bit of a cold and wanted to stay warm, but that she would see everyone after the concert (NOTE: I think some thought this comment might mean that she would be doing a signing, but that was never specified) I managed to present her with my bag of Christmas goodies for which she thanked me in her usual sweet way and she signed a couple of things before Gianmarco whisked away to the warmth of the Forum.

Most of us then headed up to the Wetherspoon’s for a warm, a chat and initially a drink whilst some went back to their accommodation to get ready for the evening before re-joining us for dinner.

Best wishes
Grant

[BenCMitchell]

Hi folks! Ah well, here goes my 3rd report! I will try and keep it to a reasonable size, compared to my other reports which are a bit too detailed and can get boring! Well, here we go:

This time, I had no choice but to travel by train, as there were no convenient coaches to Bath. I awoke at half 7 and went through my pre-concert ritual. Shower, breakfast, dress into black shirt, black trousers etc, check battery life on phone, MP3 (for the journey) and camera! All were fine, and I left my digs at 8.30.

As I have never travelled by myself on the train before, I was anxious to get to the station early to make sure that I got everything right! Luckily the process was much easier than I thought, and had about a half an hour wait until my train appeared on the board. Off I trotted to the platform and boarded the waiting train. The journey from Bath to Bristol Temple Meads was pleasant. I even managed to sleep a bit, as is unavoidable on train journeys when sitting down! The change-over at Bristol was something of a mild panic! The station didn't have a huge board of all the arriving trains, so I ended up running between each platform looking at the destinations of each! Eventually I found my train (platform 15 - the last one!!), boarded and heaved a sigh of relief whilst sitting down.

When I arrived at Bath at 11.45, it was very easy finding the venue, so I spent the next 2 hours exploring the surrounding streets. The place was heaving! I came across some amazing street performers, one being a fire juggler! I then came across a brilliant jazz group called 'Just In Time', who performed some brilliant tunes by Sinatra as well as traditional jazz numbers like 'Tuxedo Junction'. When 1.45 came, I wandered back to the venue and met up with Karsten. Others eventually arrived during the next hour, including Grant, Thomas, Martin and Sue and Charles. Hayley's van soon arrived. Tim and Andy arrived separately. Hayley soon appeared, eager to get into the warm, judging by the expressions on her face, which we understood, and after a few brief 'hellos' we left her to get inside.

Whilst some of us went our separate ways to get back to various B&B's, Mark, Grant, Karsten and I walked up the road to the Wetherspoons. Karsten left us after we found a table to get back to the B&B to change. After a while, we were joined by Thomas, and soon after, I received a call from Dean saying he had arrived, so I wandered out to meet him. Karsten arrived also. We all sat down and eventually ordered food, after of which Martin and Sue arrived.

After, we ventured back to the venue to meet up with others and find our seats. There, we met with Steve and Stuart, as well as Keith. There were no programs for this concert, meaning we had to keep a record of the songs sung. At 7.15, we took our seats, and waited for the lights to dim and the concert to start.

The first half started with the Zenith Youth Theatre, who performed vry well choreographed versions of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', 'Oklahoma Dance', 'Godspell', 'Day by Day', 'Les Miserables', and 'Hot Mikado'. There were some very talented singers in this group! After they finished their set, the Good Afternoon Choir sung their set, being 'Cowboy Carol', and 'Hallelujah'. I expected them to sing more! After they finished, Hayley appeared to cheers and a huge applause. Her first set was 'Veni Veni Emmanuel', 'The Christmas Song', 'The Little Road To Bethlehem', 'Corpus Christi Carol', and 'Prayer, which was a pleasant surprise! From the first couple of notes of 'Veni Veni' there was a slight indication that she had a slight cold coming, but this was quickly overcome to provide a mesmerising first set. There was then a 20 minute interval, where I quizzed Martin on what settings he used on his camera, which is the same model as mine! After a while, I took my seat to await the second half.

The second half started with the Bath Chorus, who sung 'Hallelujah Chorus', 'Rocking', 'Behold That Star', 'Softly Sleep', 'Jingle Bells', and 'In the Bleak Mid Winter'. Hayley then took the stage for her final set, of which she sung 'River¡¦, 'I Know You By Heart', 'Pokarekare Ana', 'Peace Shall Come', and 'Silent Night'. I was pleasantly surprised when she sung 'Pokarekare'. I was able to film 'River' and 'Pokarekare'. If I'm allowed to post these video's, I'm sorry for the camera movement, as I was trying to switch between Hayley and Andy, but this meant going past someone's head in the row in front!

Hayley then sung 2 encores, the first being 'Sleigh Ride', which is one of my favourites! I managed to film this also, but I didn't catch the first couple of lines, as my camera was deciding to play up! The final encore was 'O Holy Night', which was one of the most beautiful songs I've heard her sing live, as she was joined onstage by the Bath Choir. It brought a slight tear to my eye! The applause was deafening, which was quickly followed by a standing ovation!

Afterwards, the HWI'ers gathered at the front of the stage to await Hayley. Jean-Marco appeared shortly to tell us that Hayley couldn't hang around too long as she was tired and had a slight cold coming on. When she did appear, she had no signs of a cold - she was her usual glamorous self! She then went around signing various album covers, tickets, etc. John had a T-shirt of Winter Magic, which she signed! Eventually she got round to signing my ticket, of which she said 'It's Ben right?' I almost fell over! I couldn't believe she remembered! My face was a picture apparently! I then said that this was my final concert for this year, as my course was starting to take-off, which she said 'good luck' to. I said that I would try to make a couple of concerts in the New Year. Presents were exchanged as well, including Dean's amazing calligraphy Christmas card! Hayley soon departed to 'Happy Christmases!' and 'Safe journey home!'

The HWI then went their separate ways - I said that I hoped to see them next year at a concert or 2! I then walked with Mark back to the carpark to make the journey back to Banbury to catch a coach. I was very grateful to him for the lift!

When we got back to Banbury, Mark dropped me off at the coach station. I then said that I hoped to see him at a concert next year as well, and another 'Thank You' for the lift!

I waited around for about 40 minutes for the coach, which arrived bang on time, and I slept the 1 hour 30 minute journey back to Birmingham.

I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to Hayley first of all for making the evening such a joy! Thanks also go to the members who attended! It was nice to meet with Martin and Sue, Thomas, Dean and Charles for the first time! Also, a big thanks to the staff at the Forum for making the evening a joy as well!

Ah well, I hope to see a few of you again in the New Year!

Cheers,
Ben

[grant]

“Day By Day”
Back at the Forum I was a little disappointed to find that Row C had become the fourth row but with a high stage and still quite a gap between seats and stage we would still be afforded an excellent view. Two years ago, Grenville Jones put on an amazing show and this one was to prove equally so.

The evening was opened by Zenith Youth Theatre Group – a theatrical society for young people between the ages of 13 and 21 and they really got the show off to a fine start with their vibrant and enthusiastic performances. Highlight for me and one of the real highlights of the show was “Day By Day” from Godspell; a musical I have seen many times but rarely performed – even by professionals – better than the young female soloist who performed it tonight. At times using every inch of the stage she was just brilliant. I passed her on the stairs in the interval and wished I had reacted quick enough to tell her so.

Next came The Good Afternoon Choir, relatively newly formed by Grenville and consisting mainly of older people, they got us all into the Christmas spirit by getting us to join in with their first number “The Twelve days of Christmas”. I also very much enjoyed their next piece – a choral version of Leonard Cohen’s “Alleluia”.

And so to the star of the show and the reason for our presence; our Hayley. All smiles, Hayley walked onto stage in her knee length blue/black dress and with her curls adorned with her current favourite hair accoutrement. I remember from my last visit to Bath, how enthusiastic the audience was for all the performers and tonight was the same.

I was delighted that Hayley chose three of my favourite Christmas songs to include in her five song set for the first half of the concert. As for her performance, I am going to borrow some words from Peter’s wonderful Liverpool report …..

“What can I say about Hayley that isn’t simply and fully expressed in the phrase “She was Hayley”

Indeed, Hayley doing what Hayley does is the reason so many of us travel at such frequent intervals to see her do just that – even if it does mean seeing the same concert time after time - without ever tiring of it.

The second half of the concert was opened by Bath Chorus Choir, who were present two years ago and I particularly liked their rendition of “In The Bleak Midwinter”

Hayley now returned to stage for the final part of the evening in her red ‘Poppy’ dress, going straight over to the piano for “River”. I was completely mesmerised by the selection of songs for this set – as Hayley seemed to have strung together some of the most emotive ones from her current repertoire, and my favourites to boot. The final song was “Silent Night” although Hayley’s ‘sleigh bells’ had sat on the table by her glass of water all evening.

It was no surprise then, that “Sleigh Ride” was Hayley’s encore, accompanied by the choir. A few people stood for the applause after this; applause that carried the enthusiasm and admiration for everyone on stage. Hayley remained on stage, returning to her microphone, a wide grin on her face. It had to be “O Holy Night” and of course it was.

I challenge anyone not to be moved by this carol the way Hayley sings it. Just when you think you’ve heard the best and that it surely can’t get better than this, Hayley proves you wrong every time! It can, and it does! By the time Hayley finally left the stage, most of the auditorium had risen to it’s feet in appreciation of a wonderful evening of music.

Part 3 to follow i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best wishes
Grant

[martindn]

Thanks for that Ben. Yes, I saw you almost fall over when Hayley remembered your name. I thought you were about to pass out.....

Actually, this was also the first time she has remembered my name too, and it think this was the ninth concert at which I have met her, so you are indeed privileged. As are we all that Hayley is willing to spend time with us, when she is tired and ill and had a long journey ahead of her.

As for me, I'm still Hayleywowed! I wondered why she took so little persuading to do the final encore. As for the first one, Sleigh Ride, I spotted her "sleigh bells" lying on a table on the stage early on, and was expecting it in the concert, rather than as an encore. But I think she has now mastered the playing of that particular instrument, after the problems she had at peterborough. And she has also learned that it is much easier to play the piano without the high heels!

I'm glad if I was able to help you with your camera Ben, and that you were able to get some videos and photos. I got some too, but I haven't had time for a proper look at them yet. But I'm optimistic that they will be good.

But continuing the story of PART 3

I think the rest of my report is probably redundant now. But I will carry on a bit with personal reminiscences.

When Sue and I arrived back at Wetherspoons, the rest of the crew were sat in the corner eating, and had been joined by Dean, who I was meeting for the first time. We ordered our food, but were a bit behind the rest, so they eventually left for the Forum a few minutes ahead of us. But when we got there they were still waiting in the foyer. Standing towards the back, we were handed a free leaflet, rather than a programme, which mentioed that there would be a retiring collection at the end for the Wansdyke Scouts. I think most of us missed it, since we did not leave the theatre immediately, but waited for a while for Hayley to come out to see us, which she eventually did.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Whilst waiting towards the back f the queue, Gianmarco appeared, and we asked him how Hayley was, since we had heard about her cold earlier, and he said "she's fine", "she will be fine".

We were eventually let in to take our seats. The front two rows were reserved, so the HWI crew were mostly in rows C to F or G. Sue and I were in row E. The exception was Karsten, who was in the front row of the circle, which is quite close to the stage. That is where he took the photos he posted above from. At one point he stch his head over the parapet to say hello, but retracted it before I could photograph him!!!

The show, I think Ben has explained well. The Zenith Youth Theatre were excellent, I thought, and I enjoyed the Good Afternoon Choir too. But it was Hayley I was waiting for, and as we know, she never disappoints.

She gave us a detailed description of what Corpus Christ Carol is about, which was good since I have never managed to get my brain around it despite having the words printed in the Japanese version of the album. It is wierd, believe me, and it seems nobody knows how old this carol is.

At the end she didn't seem to need much persuading to do an encore, which was Sleigh Ride, and seemingly even less to do her second encore, which for me was the absolute highlight of the show..O Holy Night, with the Bath Chorus, who had remained seated behind Hayley thoughout her second set. This has long been one of my favourite Hayley songs, she performs it with such power and passion, and tonight was no exeption. I was quite simply blown away. What a way to end a truly wonderful show, and she received a standing ovation afterwards. Many performers go through a career without ever having a standing ovation, Hayley has had three in the last week! I still haven't come down to earth.

After the show, we waited inside the auditorium for Hayley to appear ( a much better idea than sujecting her to the cold outide the stage door), which she eventually did, and spent a few minutes chatting and signing various things. Even so, she said she was feeling cold even inside the theatre. It is very good of her to be willing to make the effort to come and talk to her supprters, and I'm sure we would all like her to know how much we appreciate it.

So then it was goodbyes and back to our B & B. My thirteenth Hayley concert had come and gone without any disasters, and was in fact one of the best. Thank you Hayley, for yet another truly beautiful experience.

Right, I must get on with sorting out my photos!

Martin

[charles]

Hi everyone,

I have finally got back from Bath, after a fully enjoyable concert. I think everyone seems to have done marvellous reports on the event so I don't think I will do one myself. I woud just like to say that it was lovely to meet so many of you.

It was lovely to see Hayley and it was very good of her to come out to see us all. I hope her cold gets better soon.
I tihnk my favorite song of the evening was the little road to bethlehem followed by Peace shall come. I can't quite decide which one I like best

Thank you Hayley for a wonderful concert and i look forward to seeing you at a concert next year, all being well.

Best wishes,
Charles

[grant]

The Get Out
Rarely is a patron allowed to remain in the auditorium for long once a performance is over and never are they allowed to remain during the get out. But here we still are with chairs being stacked (several HWI members could be seen helping too!) stage decorations being removed and all the accoutrements of the performance being packed away.

Having been unable to ascertain where or how we may be able to spend a few minutes with Hayley we just stayed put, not wanting to interrupt Hayley’s crew as they went about their business of getting the show back on the road to London. Eventually I managed a quick word with Gianmarco to see if Hayley would join us for a few minutes. He promised to check, returning shortly to say yes, she was on her way but feeling tired so could we not detain her for too long. Naturally, we promised that we wouldn’t.

We didn’t have to wait long for Hayley to appear, all smiles and looking very cosy in a thick grey sweater. The first few minutes ascertaining that she felt much better and sharing cold remedies. I gather Hayley favours the menthol vapour and towel over the head method.

Despite the need for speed, Hayley seemed relaxed and spent about 10 minutes with our little group which, I guess, comprised a dozen or so souls. I was actually within ear shot when I heard Hayley mention Ben’s name and I can confirm Martin’s impression that he looked about to pass out from shock. I also made a point of letting Hayley know that Gordon and I will help with the UNICEF collection at the Norwich concert tomorrow as I’m not sure if Nicola will have picked up my Email.

Several of us managed to get pictures during our time with Hayley and I will do my best to get a few up in the next hour or so. So with Gianmarco ready to whisk Hayley away, we said our goodbyes and the proverbial “See you in …..” we made our way out into night and to our respective destinations.

Best wishes
Grant

[Joe]

Thanks very much Martindn, Karsten, Ben, Charles, and Grant for each of your reports and photos. Wonderful!

Best wishes to you,
Joe

[grant]

Hello everyone

Thank you Martin, Karsten, Ben and Charles for the reports and photo's so far.

Here are a few pics of Hayley with our group after last night's wonderful concert.

Best wishes
Grant

[Steve H]

Hello All,

Back now from Bath and it's time to post some photo's from the fantastic concert, thank you to all those who have posted reports and pictures so far.

Steve H

[Steve H]

Thanks Grant

As Karsten said earlier the lighting was good last night, Stuart and I were level with the sound engineer in row F. [/size]

Steve H

[Steve H]

Steve H