SOPRANO Penelope Randall-Davis has graced the best stages across the world, singing with some of the finest opera companies.
But on Saturday, February 17, she will join fellow soprano Philippa Dearsley and her husband Simon, Barnard Castle School director of music, as they support a cause much closer to home.
To coincide with Valentine’s Day, they have put together a programme called The Glory of Love: the good and the bad, which will feature popular songs and arias from the world of musicals and operetta to help raise money for The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
Ms Randall-Davis said The Witham’s auditorium may be small, but it offered performers a quality venue following its multi-million pound refurbishment was completed in 2013.
“It’s a great venue with fantastic acoustics,” she said.
“When I first came up here and sang at the old Witham, my dressing room was in the shop.
“The refurbishment has really fulfilled the potential of the building and they are now getting some really high end stuff here.”
Ms Randall-Davis moved to the dale in 2009 and has been a regular at The Witham – both as performer and member of the audience.
“I first sang Rigoletto with InterOpera here,” she said.
“That was my first visit to Barnard Castle and I thought this place was amazing. The hall was quite down at heel at the time, but it had a sprung floor and it was packed.
“I have been coming to some of the live relays along with the Northern Sinfonia concerts and they are excellent quality.
“There is scope to do a lot more classical music here,” she added.
A graduate of Durham University, highlights of Ms Randall-Davis’ career include performing with the Welsh, Scottish and English National Operas and appearing at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Performing in a small venue, such as The Witham, comes with its own challenges, she said.
“You are much more exposed and you have to make sure you create a relaxed atmosphere for everyone – it’s like being in close up all the time, whereas in a bigger venue, there is a much greater distance so it is harder to create that intimacy.
“That’s why The Witham is fantastic for chamber music.”
Based around the theme of love, she said Saturday’s show promised something for everyone – with even the prospect of some audience participation.
Ms Randall-Davis said: “We have got extracts from opera and operetta and quite a lot from musical theatre, such as Showboat, Calamity Jane and Guys and Dolls, then a few refreshing takes on love by Sondheim – ranging from the naïve and cynical to the murderous.
“There is quite a lot of comedy in the programme, and we are keeping a few surprises in store.”
With Mr Dearsley accompanying on piano, songs will be sung solo, as duets and by all three.
“We are having a blast in rehearsals – we are having great fun with it,” said Ms Randall-Davis.
“This started being talked about last summer. We will have had a lot of rehearsals by the time we get here. It will be well sung and well played.”
The trio’s performance is the second fundraiser for The Witham this year, following mountaineer Alan Hinkes’ sell-out talk last month.
The Witham’s executive officer Katy Taylor said more fundraising performances would follow later in the year.
Tickets for The Glory of Love: the good and the bad featuring Penelope Randall-Davis, Simon and Philippa Dearsley, are £10 and £8 for U16s. The show starts at 7.30pm. Contact the box office on 01833 631107 or go to thewitham.org.uk
