From Bothy to
Broadway
- the Anzac Day Variety
Concert 2011
The essence of Anzac continued
into the evening, as guests were entertained to a wonderful variety concert,
‘From Bothy to Broadway’, coordinated by Ian and Elayne Johnston. The
proceeds from the concert were to support the ongoing development of the
Coach House Museum.
The Scallywags group of singers led
several brackets of sing-a-long songs, with admirable crowd participation.
The item ‘The Laughing Policeman’ had the guests chuckling at her
effervescent haw-hawing. Two young entertainers, Shayna Tweed and
Tehezib Lathiff, winners of the 2010 Star Search, presented several songs,
ending with an enchanting duet. Katte
Johnston, a well known singer who has performed in many Palmerston North
shows, sang a set of Edith Piaf songs in Frenchy, and also performed some beautiful
character renditions.
The Scottish touch was stirring, as
Sheran Hancock entered the Civic Centre, filling the concert chamber with
the skirl of the pipes, playing ‘Flowers of the Forest’ and later continued
as Ian Johnston read ‘The Ode to the Fallen’. We were delighted by
Palmerston North’s very own Elton John - Graham Johnston who played and sang
a bracket of EJ’s songs. Violinist, Bruce Sinclair, along with Ian
Johnston playing guitar, presented several English comedy songs such as ‘The
Gas Man’ and ‘Always look on the bright side of life’.
Brian Hunter, Chairman of the Coach
House Trust thanked the performers, sponsors and guests and declared the
evening a resounding success. All those present had total admiration for the
musically talented Johnston family who contributed in so many ways towards
the concert's success.
And what is a bothy, so many asked? A
small Scottish shelter.
