Double Divas, St Mary’s Unstone

The musical partnership of Andrea Ryder-Smith and Sarah Helsby Hughes blossomed as colourfully as the daffodils in St. Mary’s churchyard for this Spring Serenade of classical and light opera.

Andrea was on home territory for the premiere of the show, which now goes on tour. Both graduates of the Birmingham Conservatoire, they have busy careers in the opera world, but decided to come together for a programme of opera arias and the best of musical theatre.

With a dramatic opening of Ombra mai fu from Handel’s Xerses, it was obvious from the start that these two voices were made for each other as the sound soared into the rafters. Work from Offenbach, Mozart and Bizet demonstrated both individual and duet virtuosity.

Sarah is the comedienne of the partnership and her Prince Orlofsky in the Strauss Die Fledermaus selection brought a lightness of touch which contributed to the relaxed atmosphere for the audience. Though the performance was in a church, there was an air of cabaret with a warmth that belied the starkness of the surroundings.

Andrea got into the comedy at the start of the second half with Three Little Maids from The Mikado, helped by an unsuspecting member of the audience, and selections from My Fair Lady, Phantom of the Opera and Cats followed. But it was the West Side Story excerpts that sent shivers down the spine.

Part of the proceeds go to the fund to mend the church roof. Appropriate that it was a roof-raising performance.

Double Divas c/o Piccallily Productions
59 Fore Lane Avenue   Sowerby  West Yorkshire HX6 1BB
t. 01422 832162
e.info@doubledivas.co.uk