Another Evening of Entertainment

Lakes Leisure Kendal

There were moments during the Kirkbie Kendal School show when it felt like you could have been at a stadium gig.

It really did, as teacher Geoff Cater’s fundraiser for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation provided one of those truly magical nights, made all the better for a professional light show, first class sound equipment and Geoff’s long held ambition of a pyrotechnic finale.

The line-up of nearly 30 separate performances featured a staggering amount of talent.

On that showing, I reckon many, with a little polish and work, really have the potential to go on to become recording artists. Particularly, gifted and confident performers such as Kerry Wilkin, who popped up as vocalist for several of the bands as well as sitting at the piano to deliver one of her own compositions.

Rebecca Pinder was another with that ‘star’ ingredient. Playing a guitar almost as big as she was, the year eight student rendered me speechless with her simply enchanting and original version of Elton’s John’s Your Song, which produced one of the loudest rounds of applause of the night.

Red Run cranked the guitars up and rocked the hall with blistering versions of Black Betty and Walk This Way and Gem & Co provided a thoroughly entertaining and well worked dance routine.

Rowan Thorsby was another voice that shone, ‘fingers of fire’ Declan Farrell jazzed things up in a riveting piano display and dancer Georgina Askew showed some astonishing acrobatic dancing skills.

Mandolin man and singer Crispin Halcrow, is another to watch for with band Non Applicable.

It was 24-carat gold all night. This wasn’t just a school concert this was a showcase of operatic proportions, encapsulated by the vocals of Georgie Buckland and Josie Murray. The girls’ rendition of Abba’s Slipping Through My Fingers made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was absolutely spellbinding, and beautifully accompanied by teacher Mark Buckland on piano.

The inspirational Mr Cater turned balladeer for his self-penned Kath’s Song (his ode to Mrs Cater, written in 1973), joined afterwards for Dylan’s Forever Young by another outstanding and charismatic singer Eleanor Stuart.

Compere for the night Leah Coates kept the pace and sang Wherever You Go along the way.

Finally, the Staff Band gave us The Beatles’ Money and Fleetwood Mac’s Don’t Stop with all the acts cramming the stage.

I went away thinking I really had seen something special.