A Diamond Jubilee – Last Night At The Proms, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, August 4 (From The Argus)

A Diamond Jubilee – Last Night At The Proms, Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, August 4

3:26pm Monday 6th August 2012 in The Critic By Heather Flood

The British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra’s Last Night At The Diamond Jubilee Proms, with guest conductor Fraser Goulding, was a rousing, joyous flag-waving treat.

Presenter Mark Langley provided amusing anecdotes and witty banter as well as reminding an appreciative audience of past events in the Queen’s reign since her coronation in 1953.

The concert began with an overture from The Arcadians, and Langley told us of Elizabeth’s journey from Africa when the then Princess of Wales was told of her father’s sudden death. The second piece was the gentle melodious Out Of Africa from the film of the same name, followed by the stirring Zadok The Priest, which was played at the Coronation. We were then treated to music made famous during Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne, including a selection sung by soprano Gillene Herbert and tenor Joe Shovelton, who stood in for Andrew Forbes Lane as his flight had been cancelled. There were medleys from Oklahoma, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats and Evita.

Langley claimed that Elizabeth was the Queen of Rock, as it was during her reign that groups such as The Beatles emerged. We then flew off into the future with the Doctor Who theme tune.

The evening ended with standard favourites Rule Britannia, Land Of Hope And Glory and Jerusalem.

Despite the counter attraction of the Olympics , there was a good attendance. The audience did struggle with the second verse of the national anthem, but were otherwise in fine voice and their enthusiastic flag-waving helped create a great atmosphere.