16 August 2014 (released)
23 September 2014
Daniel’s Beard have been described as one of Scotland’s leading chamber groups, and on this evidence I see no reason to dispute this claim.
The piece in question is described or categorised as ‘entertainment for children’ and appeared in the Fringe Festival Guide under children shows. On the morning when my friend and I went along to see the show we came to the conclusion that it was worth getting up for. Low and behold, there even were two children amongst the audience! I think it would be true to say that what was on offer went completely above the little dear’s heads – bless them.
The kind of children who needed to appreciate this work really should be at least ten, reasonably intelligent and with a love for classical music! Really, it is much more a piece for grown-up children (by that I mean adults). We had a fair bit on offer here: the composer Lenny Sayers has presented us with a piece for octet: Elita Poulter / Alastair Savage (violin), Tom Rathbone / Sonia Cromarty (cello), Jean Johnson (clarinet), Siobhan Parker (cor anglais), Andy Saunders (horn), and Ed Cohen (piano). The lot was narrated by Jamie McDougall, and for the last piece, ‘The Lady Of Shalott’, two female dancers (Freya Jeffs and Miranda Sheehy) were coming on – adding atmosphere and mystery.
Sayers music works well for the nonsense poetry (who else but our old friends Mr. Lewis Carroll and Mr. Edward Lear). I was only slightly disappointed that we didn’t get ‘The Dong with a luminous nose’ but Jabberwocky more than sufficed. As for Lear, his The Owl and The Pussycat and The Quangle-Wangle’s Hat got a worthy makeover. Hopefully some children will get to see this enchanting and creative piece of work. I was put in mind of course of ‘Peter And The Wolf’, and John Betjemen’s work with Jim Parker. The music often reminded me of some early Benjamin Britten – I am referring to the use of the French horn.
Daniel’s Beard acquitted themselves well! That said, the acoustics in the venue are not terribly good (it bounces all over the place, I heard someone say). Scots actor Jamie McDougall did a thoroughly decent job as narrator. Yes, it’s as difficult as singing, for you have to keep time. I should add that it wasn’t all nonsense. Sayers also treated us to Tennison’s The Lady Of Shalott, a shift in tone after the recital of the fun nonsensical poems. This end piece was a veritable tour-de-force, both acoustically and visually.
A most entertaining and educative 50 minutes for bright ‘children’.
