That’s Entertainment
Aylesbury Church Members do Olde Tyme Music Hall
40 members of Aylesbury Methodist Church took part in a concert to celebrate the completion of their rebuilt and refurbished community centre. Items gave samples of the entertainment from some of the eras since the church was built in Buckingham Street in 1893.
Starting with an Old Time Musical Hall it ended with Elton John’s ‘The Circle of Life’ from the Lion King. Producer Pauline Latham linked intervening items with reminders of changing world events and changing music. After the concert Pauline thanked everyone for “pulling out all the stops to make the show so enjoyable, such fun and, by all accounts, so successful. After the rehearsal period we had, I now definitely believe in miracles!"
The church’s minister, Rev. David Jenkins, who chose a Frank Sinatra number to play and sing with his fiancée Paula Lewis said, "It is a great delight to see the Church family contributing a variety of talents towards a well thought out entertainment. Aylesbury Methodist Church is a fun place to be, as well as a place of profound depth and sensitive support."
Some of the fun items included an all-male ‘flappers’ version of the Charleston, excerpts from ‘The Goon Show’ by Steve Kemp, John Miskin, Brian Powell and Arthur Sara, with sound effects from Callum Kemp and an hilarious ABBA look-alike act from Derek and Lynn Bernstone and Steve and Viv Kemp. Rhyming couplet king Brian Taylor gave a Mystery Monologue on the demise of the old church boiler house,
Soloists Marianne Brand and Ellie Aylen sang Florrie Ford and Vera Lynn numbers, whilst Pat Starr read World War 1 Monologue Letters accompanied by daughter Claire on flute and Robin Barrett on drums. Pat and Claire were in action again together with Viv and Ailsa Kemp in a lively jive whilst guest band Group Therapy provided a medley of Beatles hits. The rest of the music was provided by the church’s band of Simon Parker (piano), Nick Aylen (guitar), Philip Gee (bass guitar) and Robin Barrett (drums). Brian Latham gave some guitar accompaniment as well as overseeing the projected sound and visual effects. At the interval, the church’s catering team served fruit punch and canapés.
Fund-raising chairman Tony Noble was delighted with the evening. “I thought the theme worked brilliantly and it pleased our audience. The event raised £560 and we only have to raise a further £14,000 to make our £1 million scheme fully funded.”