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LATEST
NEWSLETTER
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Spring
2007
May
I extend a warm welcome
to Novello devotees old and new and take
this opportunity to thank you for your continued
support. It’s been another busy but
happy year waving the flag for Ivor. For
a number of years we have held our annual
concert in Littlewick Green but, mainly
due to the high demand for tickets, last
year we decided to move to the Desborough
Suite theatre in the centre of Maidenhead.
A lovely stage, comfortable seats and praise
for the venue was enough to persuade me
to take this year’s concert on June
9th back to the Desborough. A new programme,
a wider variety of artistes and more of
Ivor’s home movies on the big screen
will, I hope, encourage you to join us.
Ivor’s
Music Room Gardens Open
With Littlewick Green only being a few miles
from Maidenhead, I am very pleased to say
Jean and Maurice Tinkler have continued
to allow devotees the chance to visit their
garden - once Ivor's music room gardens,
next door to Redroofs. To those who haven't
made this visit, it is well worthwhile doing
so. One can see where Ivor spent much of
his time in this idyllic garden, entertaining
all the famous stars of stage and screen.
The happy times in his swimming pool (now
a sunken garden), the tennis courts and
the lilac hedge that inspired his wonderful
song. Why not call and soak up the atmosphere
before attending the concert.
Join
us in Wales We shall also
be presenting The World of Ivor Novello
at the Dolman Theatre, Newport, South Wales
on Saturday September 29th. This will feature
the Serendipity Singers with guest artiste
Marilyn Hill Smith. This promises to be
another evening of magical, musical Novello
nostalgia. Full details and booking forms
for both our events are enclosed with this
newsletter. Please remember we do not charge
any membership fees and can only exist by
our various activities. |
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Sir
Cameron Does it Again
Sir Cameron Mackintosh has once again done
his splendid best in memory of Ivor. At
the end of last year he arranged to have
a most attractive, illuminated, glass display
cabinet fitted in the Waldorf bar of his
newly renamed Novello theatre (formerly
the Strand, where Ivor had his flat above)
in London’s Aldwych. With the help
and support of Rosy Runciman, Sir Cameron’s
dedicated archivist, we have been able to
display various items from our collection.
This includes some lovely silverware that
was presented to Ivor by the cast of his
various major, musical plays. The Novello
theatre has been so tastefully decorated
with memorabilia, much of it from our archive,
that it has become a shining memorial to
Ivor and his life’s achievements.
Ivor
Returns to the West End
How
tremendous it was to learn earlier last
year that the world-famous conductor George
Daugherty and David Lik Wong were planning
to take Ivor back into London’s West
End. For one night only they staged a fabulous
concert with Sinfonia
Britannia, a full orchestra
(to the exact |
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size Ivor had specified for his London shows)
plus a line-up of world -famous vocalists.
The evening of Sunday September 10th was
a really memorable occasion and one that
should have seen the Novello theatre bursting
at the seams. Patron, Marilyn Hill Smith,
was one of the sopranos. Her article in
this issue explains clearly why the concert
was not the sell-out it should have been.
I received a letter from George Daugherty
the week following the show. His upset and
despair at the lack of any media recognition
for his Novello event in the West End was
only too real and very familiar to myself.
Here was a highly-talented American, so
impressed with the works of Novello that
he went to great lengths to present his
work in this country, to the very highest
standards, only to be virtually ignored.
He was clearly perplexed by the experience
and wondered if I had any thoughts or advice.
It pains me to have to tell people that
generally, unless the media are referring
to Ivor’s petrol rationing experience
in the war or delving into his private life
(which to me seems so long ago it’s
now extremely boring), they have virtually
no interest in the man’s real talents
and the wonderful legacy of music he has
left us. George wanted to take this concert
to new venues around the country and what
a joy it would have been but, truth to tell,
I felt at a complete loss to be able to
offer any sound advice.
A
Quiet Drink with Mr Novello
One
brighter note on the horizon: we can now
boast a new Novello public house, to be
found just down the road from Littlewick
Green, on the main A4 between Maidenhead
and Reading. Themed with Ivor’s work
and music, I understand it is a most pleasant
place to visit for a quiet drink or tasty
meal. Tel: 01628 825753
Ivor
Almost in Church Before
I take my leave I should mention that we
have not forgotten our promise to have a
bronze head of Ivor placed in Littlewick
Green church. At times the wheels of ecclesiastical
paperwork move at a fairly slow pace. I
gather we may get the official go ahead
to place the head in the church sometime
very soon.
May
I ask you to support us
when you can. By attending our functions
and buying our recordings and other pieces
you help us keep Ivor’s flag flying.
Enjoy your summer!
Most sincerely, Nick Gaze INAB Administrator
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IMPRESSIONS
OF IVOR
by Patron Sandra Watkins
A short while ago I attended a most delightful
'Desert Island Disc' evening, for a local
dignitary. A man well liked and renowned
for his good works. It proved to be both
enjoyable and entertaining as he recalled
eight pieces of music, which he felt, had
had a significant effect at different stages
of his life. The basis had stemmed from
a recording of Band Music, played on a treasured
'Radiogram' owned by his family, which he
believed had instilled in him a love of
music and order. This made me recollect
my first encounter with Music, and yes you
have guessed, it was Ivor's music. My grandmother,
a very fine accomplished pianist and piano
teacher, played a wide variety of music,
but her passion was Ivor. So at a very early
age I was nurtured into the love and appreciation
of his work. This over the years has stood
me in good stead for all aspects of music
and how it can affect our lives. The work
that the Bureau does to enable us all to
enrich and enjoy such pleasure, when all
about us seems to be falling apart at the
seams, was shown to be true last June, when
the Ivor Day Celebrations were held in Maidenhead
at the Desborough Suite. It was truly splendid
for us all to join in celebrating a man's
life time achievements, in friendship and
harmony. I am sure under the expert direction
of Nick and Co. this year will be as enjoyable
and informative. I look forward to seeing
you and extend my thanks for your loyalty
and support for IVOR .
Sandra Watkins, March 2007.
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SORRY
IVOR
by Patron Marilyn Hill Smith
On Sunday 10th September the Novello Theatre
in London’s Aldwych was filled with
the strains of Ivor’s glorious melodies.
The occasion was a concert inspired by the
splendid American conductor George Daugherty,
with his orchestra Sinfonia Britannia, led
by Gillian Findlay, and vocal soloists Shan
Cothi, Rhys Meirion, Rosemary Ashe, Tom
Solomon and myself, with Frank Lincoln providing
a narration. The whole performance was produced
by George and his partner David Lik Wong.
This historic performance, held in such
a special venue was, however, not quite
the event George and his team had striven
for. Artistically, all went smoothly, with
performers and audience all relishing the
genius of Ivor Novello. But thanks to no
advertisement at all outside the theatre
in the days leading up to the concert, a
total lack of communication between The
Wales Millennium Centre, who were the official
organisers, and the theatre’s London
box office, the auditorium was not as full
as it should have been for this unique occasion.
In addition, there was a complete shambles
in the Cardiff administration department,
with guests being invited to a reception
and then having their invitations withdrawn.
I have since discovered that George Daugherty
and David Wong not only donated their time
and services for the Novello concerts in
Cardiff, San Francisco and London, but invested
heavily in them, so we were all very dismayed
that the press releases issued by The Wales
Millennium Centre the day after the London
concert did not even mention their names.
Without George, that memorable evening would
never have happened. Music came from Glamorous
Night, Careless Rapture, Gay’s the
Word, King’s Rhapsody, The Dancing
Years, and Perchance to Dream. I also had
the joy of singing my particular favourite
“Waking or Sleeping” from Arc
de Triomphe. Miss Ashe delighted us all
with two cameo performances: “Vitalty”
and, attired in shepherdess outfit, a highly
entertaining “Bees are Buzzin”.
The audience seemed most appreciative of
every item, and those who came backstage
after the performance were extremely complimentary
about the whole programme. Nick Gaze of
the Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau provided
a fascinating exhibition in the theatre
and for a number of weeks leading up to
the concert had helped to spread the word
via the press, post and radio, but I feel
sure that, with a proper publicity campaign
in the national press and around London,
the theatre would have been filled to capacity.
All we can do is to apologise to Ivor, on
behalf of The Wales Millennium Centre, that
his glorious music did not reach a wider
audience.
Marilyn Hill Smith,: February 2007. |
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DOWN
AN ENGLISH LANE
by Dr Larry Mandon
Walk together down an English lane... June
2006 was a truly remarkable moment in my
life, for the first time in some 55 years
my wife Sally and I walked together down
an English lane which led us to Littlewick
Green - to recapture what had been for me
a most formative part of my life. The years
that I worked and walked with Ivor Novello,
in his musicals and his life at Redroofs.
A moment of nostalgic wanderings which brought
back memories of great delight of a man
of immense charm and dignity, always surrounded
by persons of unbelievable talents. It brought
back memories of rehearsals at the old Stoll
Theatre where an evening of entertainments
was being put together as a Tribute to Ivor
Novello shortly after his death, in which
every known Star of Theatre, Film, Opera
and Ballet contributed their unique skills
for an increditable performance, far too
many persons to mention by name, but nothing
was spared to make this the greatest tribute
ever seen on an English stage. It was during
these rehearsals that I first met my wife
to be, Sally, it was during a break that
I mentioned to her that it was my Birthday,
to which she replied that she would buy
me the coffee and cake, which eventually
has led to 55 years of marriage (07.07.07.)
and over 30 years of singing together around
the world. I think the romantic notion of
all that would very much have been approved
and applauded by Ivor. The visit to Maidenhead
reminded me of so much that had passed with
the years. It was a unique experience that
brought back to life so many persons who,
sadly are no longer with us and who had
contributed so much to those glamorous rapturous
nights in the theatre and whose brilliance
lit up our lives and the theatre hoardings.
I look forward to June 9th. 2007 to recapture
even more of the glorious nostalgic moments
down memory lane and to meet again so many
charming and loyal Ivor Novello fans !
Yours very sincerely Dr.Larry M.
March 2007 |
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KINGS
RHAPSODY 16mm Film
To celebrate the first anniversary of 'King's
Rhapsody' in 1950 Ivor had a performance
filmed and presented to the cast at the
Palace Theatre, London. We understand there
were at least two copies of the film made
and for many years we have been searching
in vain for one of the copies. If any of
you have heard, or know anything about this
film we would be so very grateful to hear
from you. We must add this film has nothing
to do with the Errol Flynn and Anna Neagle
commercial production of 'King's Rhapsody'. |
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NEWS
* NEWS * NEWS * NEWS
Ivor's Shows
We are informed by Samuel French in London
that sadly none of Ivor's shows have been
booked for non professional or professional
production this year.
Sheet Music
Official copies of much of Ivor's music can
be purchased from NEW Music Vault. Tel:01279
828982 email: sales@sabremusic.com |
| We
have an extensive archive, which can be made
available, please write or telephone for further
details. |
The
Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau (Established
1994)
188 Church Drive
Quedgeley
Gloucester GL2 4US |
Tel:
01452 720182
Fax: 01452 725251
Events Hotline: 07884 30493
Email: noveloscot@aol.com
Website: www.ivornovello.com
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Administrators:
Nick Gaze &
Chris Sansom
Assisted by:
Mary Falby |
| Website
Designed & Maintained by: Chris
Sansom |
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