The
once ex teacher now classical music superstar
Katherine Jenkins headed back to Westonbirt Arboretum
tonight to play her first show at the venue since
her sold out show back in 2008 and luckily for
everyone tonight the weather was on our side with
thunder storms, flash floods and Westonbirt being
announced the wettest part of the country only
24 hours prior to the show.
We
arrived at Westonbirt Arboretum just after 7pm
and at this point the whole field was packed out
with people sat down with their camping chairs
and tables and a massive selection of picnics
on offer with some people having a basic set up
of a few savoury items and cold non alcoholic
drinks whilst others went to the other extreme
with flowers and expensive bottles of wine and
champagne gracing their tables as tonight the
Forestry Commission lifted their no glass bottle
policy so everyone could make the most of the
final Forestry Commission show of 2014.
Support
act Celeste opened up proceedings tonight, the
all-female beautiful looking and beautiful sounding
five piece had been given 20minutes stage time
and during that time they played through the likes
of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful
World’, Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Smile’
and it was clear from the start that these girls
had talent as each and every one of the members
had a powerful sounding classical voice yet it
was slightly sad that the majority of the crowd
were still busy enjoying general chit-chat with
one another and tucking into their picnics to
fully appreciate the music of Celeste.
As
soon as Celeste left the stage, the National Symphony
Orchestra lead by Anthony Inglis entertained the
audience for a good ten minutes as they played
a couple of solo shows before Katherine Jenkins
made her grand appearance dressed in a beautiful
long baby pink ball gown as she song her heart
out to Agustin Lara’s ‘Granada’
which started to bring the very un-motivated crowd
to life as some people left their chairs and picnics
and gathered at the front to get more involved.
Through
the next 45 minutes Katherine Jenkins, The National
Symphony Orchestra entertained the crowd and even
Celeste a couple of returns to stage whilst Katherine
Jenkins headed out the back for one of the nights
seven outfit changes, this did provide a slight
irritation to the night but at the same time Katherine
Jenkins seemed to make up for it by returning
to the stage looking that little bit more stunning
than she did before.
Towards
the middle of the first half of the show Katherine
Jenkins dedicated a song to her Fiancee Andrew
Levitas who was in the crowd tonight this was
met by huge cheers from the crowd as Katherine
Jenkins played ‘A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley
Square’ followed by the classic song ‘We’ll
Meet Again’ and also her version of the
Walsh National anthem.
When the first half came to a close there was
a 45minute break and during that break everyone
rushed to the toilets, stocked
up on more food and drink and patently watched
the sun go down until Katherine Jenkins and the
National Symphony Orchestra took to the stage
and when they did take to the stage Katherine
Jenkins spent a good 10 minutes reading out cards
and messages from people in the crowd tonight
which I thought had a nice feel as Katherine Jenkins
really got her fans to join in as she wished various
people happy birthday, happy anniversary and general
played songs that people requested.
The
second set of the night was the more upbeat proms
set and time seriously flew from this point as
everyone was in their element getting up off their
chairs to join in dancing and singing-a-long to
some classic songs , during more outfit changes
Anthony Inglis entertained the crowd in a comical
way by teaching them to clap in a certain way
and the way he used his charm and comical presence
was fantastic as he had the whole crowd laughing
by the end of it.
Katherine
Jenkins returned to the stage in a sparkly dress
with a Union Jack flag draped around her as the
show came to an end with the likes of ‘Jerusalem’,
‘Hallelujah’, ‘Rule Britannia’
and ‘Who Wants’ To Live Forever’
which saw the crowd get right behind her and sing-a-long
whilst moments later everyone made a mad dash
to their car to beat the queues leaving the venue.
Overall Katherine Jenkins proved why she has been
at the top of her game for the past ten years
and with a new album coming out at the end of
the year it is safe to say that Katherine Jenkins
still has many more
years in the music industry and I am sure tonight
was not the last time we will see her performing
at the beautiful grounds of Westonbirt Arboretum,
however I have to say that the majority crowd
tonight were very serious and more interested
in their expensive bottles of champagne rather
than the music that was beautifully being played
from the stage in front of them and that is why
I feel that Katherine Jenkins is more suited to
the likes of the Royal Albert Hall rather than
these outside venues which have a much more casual
approach and feel, but saying that I am sure a
good night was had by all as I fore sure left
the Arboretum feeling truly entertained.
Katherine Jenkins 4/5
Celeste 4/5
Review By Trigger
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