Bernstein at the Proms, The John Wilson Orchestra

Yes, this was one of those evenings where EVERYONE stepped up. So many highlights: Louise Dearman’s “100 Easy Ways’, Julian Ovenden’s “Maria” with a stonking top B, Scarlet Strallen’s quite startling “Glitter and Be Gay” and Lucy Schaufer’s heartfelt and beautifully word-poignant “Take Care of This House” and insanely hyper “Island Magic”. But Lenny would have thrilled and thrilled again at the glamorous sheen and theatrical tinta of the John Wilson Orchestra. That aching and aspirational score for ON THE WATERFRONT – for me the real highlight of the night – brought such thrilling unanimity that it was kind of hard to imagine it better – or more ‘authentic’.

Only one possible ending, the best of all possible endings and one of musical theatre’s GREAT tunes – “Make Our Garden Grow”. When the entire vocal ensemble goes a capella at the close there cannot be anyone who doubts not just the great melodist but the great COMPOSER at work: the dense harmony, the soulful uplift, the feeling that we are all individually alone and yet together. Instincts like that are priceless.