Last curtain call for music of the night?
MUSIC of the Night organisers have announced this year's
extravaganza could be the last ever staged.
The news emerged as performers last night packed the Royal
Citadel for the final dress rehearsal – ahead of tonight's
grand opening.
Organisers said they are taking a break from the show until
at least 2012 due to pressures on military and civilian
participants.
Staged every two years since 1992, it has so far raised more
than £500,000 for local and military charities.
The five-day spectacular includes fireworks, gunfire,
military bands, hundreds of local singers and dancers and laser
displays.
Lieutenant Colonel Neil Wilson, of 29 Commando Regiment
Royal Artillery, which hosts the event, said: “Music of the
Night has been produced for the last 16 years and it's time for
a re-think. After all, not many West End shows even manage to
run for sixteen years.
“Due to pressures not only on the military element but also
on the civilian members of the production team, we've
unanimously decided we will take a break in 2010, and there
will be no show.
“At this stage, there is a possibility of a show in
2012.”
Lt Col Wilson thanked everyone who has been involved in the
show over the years, particularly the Plymouth audience.
He said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming
patrons to the Royal Citadel for this year's spectacular show
during the coming week.”
Lesley Shorrocks, event and marketing co-ordinator, said
there was a possibility this year's Music of the Night – the
ninth to be staged – could be the last.
She said: “The thing we know for definite is we are not
doing a show in 2010 and, after that, we will have to see.
“The plans are to take a break, take a look at what has gone
well and take stock of the situation.
“There are so many demands on the people involved, but we
will consider a show in 2012.”
She said pressures on the military, the amount of time put
in by volunteers and rising costs were among reasons for taking
a break.
“The military are busier in operational terms, in the
theatre of war, than they were in 1992 when we started,” she
said.
“People have volunteered for the show many, many times over
the years and everyone puts a huge amount of effort in.”
The community show this year includes a 300-strong cast, the
usual mix of new material as well as old favourites like
excerpts from Les Miserables, the grand finale of the 1812
Overture and Pomp and Circumstance.
It also includes the Children's Field Gun Crew, made up of
50 children from Maurice Town Primary School in Devonport
Tickets, from £17 to £27, for Music of the Night are on sale
at Plymouth Pavilions box office on 08451 461460 and online at
www.plymouthpavilions.com.
Full details can be found on its website
www.themusicofthenight.com
23 Comments
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by Grace, Plymouth
Sunday, July 20 2008, 10:23PM
“After working on the show this year, I just have to say how fantastic it has been, the lights and fireworks are amazing and I think that all the people that live on the Hoe should stop complaining. Events like this make me proud to be British and there isn't really much else that makes me feel that way. Probably because of all you moaning biddies out there! Its such a great opportunity for performers to get involved with as there isn't anything else on this scale for teenagers to be in.
Smile. Enjoy life and stop complaining!
Also, I think that people should be nice to the ushers that are trying to help them find their seats. They voluntered.”
by Sarah, Plymouth
Friday, July 18 2008, 2:03PM
“I took my mum to music of the night last night (Thursday), I have been on many occasions over the years. I believe it really is time to review this event. The band of HM Royal Marines can stand alone as does the historical venue. I also appreciate the hard work everyone has to put in to deliver. However, the format of the show is tired and predictable, it relies on too few quality singers, has far too many in the cast to make the chorography work and goes on far too long. The excitement and energy of old seems long gone.
Maybe a smaller venue, cut the cast in half, less songs per show and more dynamic costumes and add in a bit of ¿cultural¿ diversity , then re-brand/ re-name¿ Keep Plymouth moving forward¿¿”
by Jan, Plymouth, Plymouth
Thursday, July 17 2008, 7:15AM
“As a member of the choir and 3 time soloist I must be one of the "out of tune warblers" to whom "Steve, Plymouth" refers. In the doom and gloom of increasing crime on the streets of our fair city, all those involved in MOTN, and the hospitality of 29 Commando Regiment, R.A. is a reminder that there is still some beacon of light out there! Wake up and smell the coffee Steve before it really is too late!”
by frederick nile, devon
Wednesday, July 16 2008, 4:40PM
“The demise of "Music of the night" is because you cater for the "Corporate hospitality" V IP.
and then people who had been queing in the rain for 5 hrs get the rubbish seats! I would certainly not go again!And I have advertised this to others!”
by Tim H, Outskirts of Plympton
Wednesday, July 16 2008, 3:06PM
“I would just like to say that I am very disappointed about the negative comments coming from some of the people here. This is a great event for the city and is a great way to show our Plymouth pride while having a fantastic night of entertainment. Being in the cast, I know about all of the hard work that goes in to this show therefore the directors, cast, crew, backstage, musicians and behind the scenes workers etc. should be very proud of themselves. WELL DONE GUYS!
I don¿t understand why people can¿t see how this is a CHARITY event which has raised over £500,000 for charity. Well I suppose the people who can¿t see the good of this show are just selfish and only care about themselves.
One week of so called ¿suffering¿ from a bit of noise, manages to raise enough money to help thousands of people for a lifetime!
Im very sad to see music of the night announce its break, and im sure it will be missed by many!
ONCE AGAIN, WELL DONE TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN MUSIC OF THE NIGHT”
by Barry, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 16 2008, 12:27AM
“Every year they do this, saying its the last one - yawn...”
by sticky pixie, plymouth
Tuesday, July 15 2008, 10:08PM
“why are you all so worried about the 'local' music of the night when you cannot even be bothered to support local food providers for other events on the hoe? every year we have the same old cra**y burgers supplied by a company, who must be raking in thousands from hampshire, when we have so much local food to enjoy at our local events on the hoe, lord mayor's day, firework championships etc. why are the council still giving us this rubbish on our foreshore when there is so much locally to choose from?”
by sticky pixie, plymouth
Tuesday, July 15 2008, 10:05PM
“sucha shame for plymouth!! excuse me but where are you plymothians when all the events on the hoe are catered for by outside agencies taking money out of the city. for years we have had the same old crappy burger vans from hampshire on the hoe for lord mayors day, the firework championships et al. music of the night will be back - but in the meantime get rid of this crappy food for our events and get our local food suppliers in.”
by sad to see state of plymouth, Stoke
Tuesday, July 15 2008, 8:25PM
“Sorry, bot joking about what?”
by Miss_Anthrope, Mannamead
Tuesday, July 15 2008, 8:23PM
“Please tell me that you are joking.”