Invitation to join the fun THE great thing with music hall is that it has built-in audience participation. It’s a wonderfully lively alternative to sitting in front of the television, where efforts to join in are rather wasted. Last week’s Civic Hall audience for A Night at the Music Hall by Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society was encouraged to be as demonstrative and noisy as possible, and a great deal of the convivial atmosphere was down to this enthusiasm. The society has a considerable array of singing talent at its disposal and this was used most effectively in this compilation masterminded by Deanna Capper. It is very refreshing to see so many different faces under the spotlight as all the old familiar Music Hall favourites, with some more up-to-date additions, were paraded very colourfully. There was some very fine close harmony singing from the Barber Shop Men, for instance, and an impressive reminder of past Music Hall stars. There was also an energetic contribution from Bryan Hussey as the chairman. He fulfilled this vital role with great panache and inventiveness, and provided regular infusions of comedy. Judy Boyd |