Page 19 - HGS Suburb News 152 - Winter 2022

A Child

in Striped

Pyjamas

an opera by
Noah Max

SHELLEY-ANNE SALISBURY

he prolific and muti-talented Photo: Shelley-Anne Salisbury
HGS resident, Noah Max,
Tinvited me to drop in on a greeted me at his parent’s home very tight opera, stripped back
rehearsal for his latest oeuvre, an in Middleway with his usual warmth and raw. The music is angular and
The scéance scene (Photo: Ivan Berg) opera based on John Boyne’s book and boundless enthusiasm – sharp (painful to the touch as Noah
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. always infectious. He has, he says, says) with a constant tugging.
High Jinks in Highgate Noah had, like many of his kept the opera contained and the This is a technically challenging
opera – the sopranos are certainly
cast small, allowing for the
generation, read the book at
school and the chilling story intimacy of the story. On cue, two put to the test. Some notes are
stayed with him. However, it was of the cast arrive. Rachel Roper eye wateringly high and Noah is
STEVEN ROWE
only when Noah’s mentor, the plays the Jewish Child, Susanna exacting but always with an apology
late John Whitfield, asked Noah if MacRae, the German Child. and bags of charm. And there are
here were roars of laughter and gasps aplenty – especially in the he’s ever thought about setting Shortly afterwards we are joined some humorous moments during
dramatic séance scene – when Garden Suburb Theatre performed
Tcomedy-thriller ‘The Game’s Afoot’ to packed houses at Highgate’s the book to an opera score, that by the opera’s director, Guido the rehearsal providing some
Noah began to explore the idea.
Martin-Brandis. They are all
much needed light relief. When
Upstairs at the Gatehouse theatre in October. John felt it was important for Noah equally enthusiastic about this the repetiteur says “I’m feeling a
GST’s production in February 2023, also at The Gatehouse, will be
‘The Ladykillers’, a very well received 2011 stage adaptation by Graham to keep in touch with his family’s venture. It is, they feel, bringing little hassled by all the semi
quavers,” we all laugh.
an important topic to life in a
Jewish identity. Noah’s family had
Linehan based on the classic 1955 Ealing Comedy film of the same fled Vienna during the Holocaust visceral way, where the music They hardly notice me slipping
name. Tickets from www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com, but please also so Boyne’s book obviously (inspired by Jewish cantorial out as they continue on with the
consider becoming a Friend of GST because it’s an absolute bargain at resonated. But alongside the music) will speak to the audience detailed musical interpretation of
£35 per annum and includes a ticket to see all of our superbly personal connection for Noah, he in same way as a film does – the unrelenting story describing
produced and directed shows. More information on this and on our feels this is a universal story of impactful, emotional, disturbing the very best and the very worst
other categories of membership including Active (for those wanting to loss of innocence. and above all beautiful. Noah of humanity. The soaring notes
perform), Family, Children’s Show Only and Concession, can be found A Child in Striped Pyjamas is hopes the opera will become an following me out of the house and
at www.gardensuburbtheatre.org.uk, or by contacting our Membership Noah’s first opera and he has educational resource. quite far down Middleway stayed
Secretary at membership@gardensuburbtheatre.org.uk.
taken to the process like a duck This morning they are with me for some time afterwards
to water – he wrote the entire rehearsing the scene where the – just, I suspect, as Noah intended.
libretto during the first Lockdown two children are meeting up after
Mill Hill Music Club in April 2020. Fast forward to some absence from the German A Child in Striped Pyjamas premieres
on 11th and 12th January 2023 at the
Child who detects a change in his
October 2022, and Noah, who
doesn’t do things in half measures, ‘friend’s’ emotional state. It’s a Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone. Tickets
DAVID BAKER is in full rehearsal mode. He terribly poignant scene. This is a are available online thecockpit.org.uk.
he Mill Hill Music Club holds monthly classical music concerts on
Sunday evenings in the Hall of Henrietta Barnett School. Over the Forty fabulous years of choral singing
Tyears, the Club was based at various venues across North London,
and we have been based in the Suburb since 2007.
The Club was founded in 1955 by Mr Wilfred Ransom who at that DIANE LANGLEBEN ACS was founded by Vivienne choir and it offers a warm welcome
time was deputy manager of Barclays Bank in Swiss Cottage. Ransom Bellos in 1982, for a performance to new members. The choir meets
had interviewed a concert pianist who couldn’t quite manage to clear lyth Choral Society occupies of Mendelssohn’s Elijah to mark at North Western Reform
his overdraft. Through the auspices of the voluntary movement Toc H a unique position in the North Western Reform Synagogue’s Synagogue to learn and rehearse
(of which he was a member), he arranged a piano recital featuring his A Jewish musical scene, 50th anniversary. Since then, it for two hours each Tuesday
impecunious client. Thanks to this inaugural recital, the pianist was being the only Jewish choir that has had many works composed evening in term time.
able to pay off his overdraft and the Mill Hill Music Club was founded. gives its members the opportunity for it, including by its honorary More about the choir and its
Since then, we have become one of the most prestigious music clubs to perform the great oratorios, composer, Julian Dawes, and ACS future performances can be found
in London, if not the country. many of which are based on biblical premièred Dawes’ Death of Moses at www.alythchoralsociety.org, or
The following years were exciting. Musicians such as the Amadeus tradition, and other standard works. and his oratorio Ruth. Alyth you can contact Gill Epstein at
Quartet, who were in the early days of their career, gave many concerts. The choir also enjoys performing Choral Society is a mixed-ability alythchoralsociety@gmail.com.
The then young Vladimir Ashkenazi gave his first UK recital for the Club Jewish music, art song, works by
when he came to London. Rubenstein told his agent always to book prominent British composers and
him for ‘Hill Mill’. works from stage and screen.
Kiri Te Kanawa stepped in at short notice to replace another singer This year, the Society gave
who was unwell, and Alfred Brendel, Radu Lupu, Jacqueline du Pré, two performances: one in spring
Isaac Stern, Pinchas Zuckerman and Benno Moieseiwitsch have been to celebrate the late Queen’s
among the many distinguished names who have performed for the Diamond Jubilee with songs from Hampstead Garden Suburb
Club’s knowledgeable and appreciative audience. More recent famous around the British Isles, and a
performers include the pianists Stephen Hough and Paul Lewis and the summer concert featuring Handel’s We’ve Got You Covered.
London Mozart Players. We strive to carry on the tradition of presenting Jephtha. The year will finish with
musicians of the very highest calibre, whether they are established Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and We are a 3rd generation family business,
famous names or exciting new talents. Whitacre’s Five Hebrew Love Songs. not a call centre corporation.
Although Mill Hill Music Club The performance takes place on Our personal approach attracts clients
has kept its original name, we no 11 December at the North Western who expect a little more care and attention.
longer have a club membership as Reform Synagogue.
such. Nevertheless, we do have a To celebrate the choir’s 40th
very loyal following and we offer a anniversary, in July next year, there Private and SCAN THE QR CODE
discount on tickets for the whole will be a performance of Haydn’s Commercial TO FIND OUT MORE
season, which runs from masterpiece, The Creation.
September to May. Through the As well as performing on its Our individual service and
insurance products are
generosity of the CAVATINA Trust, home ground at North Western tailored to your speci c needs.
the Club is currently able to offer Reform Synagogue, the Society
free tickets to concert goers from has sung in Germany, France, the For art lovers,
ages 8 to 25. Netherlands and the north of from art lovers.
For details of the remaining England. It has performed to great
five concerts in our current acclaim at venues including the Love Art provides specialist
advice on how to best insure
season and for more information Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, St the collection you love. call us 020 8658 4334
about the Club, please visit John’s Smith Square, St Martin-in-
www.millhillmusicclub.co.uk. the-Fields and St Paul’s Cathedral.
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