Andy Munns
On Saturday, 5 November, 450 people turned out to hear singer and actress Toyah Willcox narrate Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, with Salisbury Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music John Challenger taking on the ‘orchestral’ role with the famous Father Willis organ.
The evening was a relaxed affair. Children were free to move about, and many sat on huge carpets laid out in the Spire Crossing for the event, which was compered by Steve Abbott, a countertenor in the Cathedral choir and the Director of Salisbury Cathedral’s Youth Choir.
Using the big screen, Steve and organist John Challenger gave the audience a short tour around the organ, then after two pieces by Camille Saint-Saëns, including The Swan from the Carnival of the Animals, Toyah took to the stage. From the Cathedral’s magnificent pulpit in the Spire Crossing, she delivered a dramatic and entertaining narration of Peter and the Wolf – and the hapless duck who was swallowed whole – perfectly mirroring John Challenger’s witty take on the famous symphonic fairytale for children.
Salisbury Cathedral’s Assistant Director of Music John Challenger said:
“It was great fun and Toyah played her part brilliantly. There were kids of all ages there learning about the organ and how music can be used to tell a story, and there were adults who knew the piece from their childhood and were taken on a trip down memory lane.
“It was a bit of an experiment on our part. Throughout this year’s Organ Festival we have tried to cater for a range of different audiences and share different kinds of music. The Father Willis organ is a versatile instrument and I think it proved itself on Saturday – with the help of Toyah, who was brilliant!”
After the concert, Toyah and John were surrounded by old and young fans who wanted autographs and to share their memories of Toyah and the music .
Feature image: Finbarr Webster
