Nov 4th and 5th 2011 in Gloucester

Nov 4th, Amberley Parish rooms.

Mission Improbable

Our first return to Gloucestershire after 3 and a half years courtesy of Air In G. First stop was Amberley, home of the unfettered cattle and we experienced unfettered relief on arrival after a gruelling journey on the M42. 

We were greeted with the best flapjacks in England and the most colourfully carpeted stage in England; not content with contending with cows on the golf course, this village also like sheep on the stage! The Parish Rooms are situated below the Church and we had to compete with choir practice - but then the choir had to compete with the Opera Dudes and I think we won. Great show. 

 Nov 5th Dursley

We left Amberley in the morning on the way to our next destination, Dursley. On our way we experienced the delights of Waterley Bottom - must go back to the doctor next week.

Old Divo

Now, elegance is not a word that immediately springs to mind when thinking of Dursley. However we were fortunate enough to perform at the very elegant Kingshill House. Only one problem - the performance was due to take place on the first floor! Help was at hand, however, and before we knew it we had a stage, lights, cameras and action...Talking of the stage, last time we were here the stage was so high it felt like we were standing on an oil rig. This time they had a new vertigo-free arrangement which was perfect.

mmmm French Waiters?

The show was a great success with the exception of an unfortunate interruption by a rather intemperate and badly dressed local resident - called himself Cyril and bore an uncanny resemblance to Neil in a wig!

Anyway we seemed to leave the good residents of Dursley with smiles on their faces, although there were a couple from Wooton-Under-Edge looking a little disconsolate but then, that's understandable. Happy Anniversary Glen and Gilly!

We loved the show tonight in Dursley. I'm going to tell all my friends about it - especially "O Sole Mio"!! Rachelx

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Oakley Village Hall, Buckinghamshire

29th October 2011

The Opera Dudes returned to Buckinghamshire and what a return. We arrived at the beautiful village of Oakley only to discover that we weren’t the first dodgy characters escaping notoriety in this picturesque place. 



  

Great train robbers hide out! Leatherslade Farm.

A mere 48 years previously – a couple of years before Neil retired from the building trade(!) – the Great Train Robbers 
hide out in Leatherslade Farm in the village before their capture. Not only that but there had even been a reunion of the members of the gang and the police officers involved on the very stage on which we were about to perform. It seems Oakley is a real stop on the road to infamy

When we arrived the hall had already been laid out with 130 chairs by the chair man Andy, who also turned out to be the Chairman. In fact it could well have been the first time in 400 gigs that we had ever seen a Chairman living up to his name. They often turn up five mins before the start of the show and take all the credit, so well done Andy!! In fact we almost had a surplus of helpful Chairmen on Saturday as Roy, the Chairman of the Parish Council arrived and proceeded to help as well

We had a great night - another complete sell out; 130 happy !! For us, there was an added bonus, thanks to the halogen stage lights three feet from our faces we ended up with a gorgeous Mediterranean suntan, looking more Neapolitan than when we arrived and Neil lost about two stone in vapour, so quids in all round! 

      Watch out for Cyril!!




Everyone thought it was a "Great night" & have not stopped talking about it. There was a really buzz in the pub afterwards with those who attended telling those who did not what a "Brilliant" show they had missed would love to have you back again you have made a name for yourselves in Oakley (Not sure what it is & if it is printable)  Andrew Finn.

King Edward VII Memorial Hall, Upper Clatford, Hampshire

22 Oct 2011      

''whosa putta alla these bloomin fish upa here''?      ''Sally, thats who''!!

There is only one word to sum up this Village Hall – ‘Sally’! We eventually arrived after passing the Village Hall several times; it was disguised behind white paint!

Sally was a whirlwind of energy, busy turning our stage into the set of Peter Grimes! We were knee deep in fishing nets, rods, waders and paper fish elegantly attached to the black stage curtain behind us. Eventually we felt like we were in an aquarium. Sally had really taken the Codfathers title to heart and we were submerged in the product of her imagination.

Phil Albert Hall

While we were left feeling like Jacques Cousteau the audience were definitely in a Tuscan landscape. The tables were decked in red, white, and green and Italian flags draped the Hall walls. Lasagne was the meal of the evening swiftly followed by what should have been ‘Just One’ Cornetto but ended up being a Viennese ice cream log instead!

O Sole Mio,   Justa one Cornetto!!

 We had already agreed to sing O Sole Mio (Walls Ice Cream-style) to finish the first half and since we don’t know a song which goes ‘You won’t find puddings better than a Wall’s Viennetta’ (although I think there should be), we had to use a bit of artistic license. All sung to the lovely 91 year Aunty Gladys who was part of the official Tim Lole In-laws contingent that night.  Another great night, finished off with an encore of Buona Sera Signorina!!

 

Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshire

 21st October 2011

The Codfathers

The Opera Dudes hit Hampshire. The first venue was Sherfield on Loddon. The Hall here looked like, and indeed was originally, 6 cottages in a row. However, nothing cosy about it now; inside it is a huge and splendid beam and rafter Victorian Village Hall. On our arrival the committee was out in force setting the hall out Italian style to complement the programme. The full house were being treated to Pizza supplied by a well known board game chain - about as Italian as the Dudes!

We were treated to copious tea and coffee by the lovely Oonagh as well as lasagne by Natalie, who was directing everything with understated efficiency.

We had a full house – 110 in all – including 9 year old Lulu, whose birthday it was and who was celebrating by seeing the Opera Dudes – that’s a new accolade for us. Not only that, she stayed awake all night – which is more than Neil does at the opera! However, she got very worried at the bit in the second half when Neil puts his coat on and walks out of the room - she could be heard saying 'he's not really leaving, is he?'!

Tim and I had a great night, with many lovely comments after the show¡

‘What fantastic voices!’

‘I know they had to go, but I could have listened to them singing for hours’

‘We’re lucky to have such high quality performers in our village hall’

‘We had a great evening; it’s our first time here, we’ll certainly come again'

‘I wasn’t sure what to expect but they won me round and really made me laugh’- from a reluctant husband

‘Good all-round entertainment’
‘Beautiful voices and really funny’

‘I’d definitely go to see them again’

The only ‘extra’ some of our audience asked for was even more of your beautiful singing - maybe something from the West End? 

.................................................................................................................................

Thorner Victory Hall, outside Leeds

16th October 2011

Le Lapin

Sunday saw the Opera Dudes travel to Thorner Victory Hall, just outside Leeds. This was our first visit to West Yorkshire and we didn’t know quite what to expect – flat caps, Yorkshire puddings and the charm of Geoffrey Boycott maybe? Instead we found the urbane John Calvert, had lasagne for tea and the only flat cap was on Neil’s head! And boy what a Village Hall; it had a stage, full lighting rig, enough space for the Royal Ballet to change in and, most important of all, it had John and Dave! Some Village Halls have a couple of dimmer switches, some even manage a simple lighting board, but Thorner Victory Hall has John and Dave – two retired technicians who between them in their careers have handled the lights and cameras for such stellar TV programmes as Emmerdale, Rising Damp, The Les Dawson Show, Countdown and many more! All of which, of course, was but a preparation for the crowning moment in their illustrious careers – Sunday Night With The Dudes!!

Not only that, but we learned that the Hall had been renovated with money raised from various from Beer festivals as well as their emerging Comedy Festival which has been graced by a number of top comedians as they climbed the greasy ladder. We were therefore treading the same boards that Michael MacIntyre, Alan Carr and Jeremy Hardy had previously trod, so we now fully expect to follow them all to the London Palladium!

The audience was hugely appreciative but we are not sure they knew what to expect to start with and we certainly saw more than the usual crop of nervous faces as Neil prowled the room as the predatory Duke of Mantua singing La Donna e Mobile. All in all, a great night and we look forward to a re-run next year – as long as John and Dave are available…





Video to follow.............

Guys, my BF & I had the great pleasure of hearing you last night at our local community hall in Thorner, West Yorkshire. We were amused and awed because you were EXCELLENT! x 

Great to see masters of their craft this evening in Thorner (near Leeds) - BRAVO gentlemen...  James Stretton

 

Whaddon Village Hall

15th October 2011

The Opera Dudes have never been to Buckinghamshire before, so it was prima volta, as the Italians say, and what a first time it was. The setting was Whaddon, a village that is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Our host was Angie Joint – who wasn’t mentioned in the Domesday Book – but she was charming and very helpful. She was also at the helm of a formidable committee and we were greeted by a whirlwind of activity – cleaning, setting out food and generally getting ready for the night. We even had to wait while they washed the floor of our dressing room – sorry, cupboard! 

The show was a sell-out – the audience was packed to the newly polished rafters - in fact, they had sold so many tickets that at one point we thought the audience might end up on stage with us.

Donald Duck??

The show kicked off with one of our many zany entrances and from then on we had an evening of laughter and applause, occasionally punctuated by the crunching of pretzels and crisps from a captivated audience. After all the excitement we retired to our luxurious accommodation at one of Lenny Henry’s establishments!!

"Thank you for bringing your fantastic show to Whaddon last night. The Opera Dudes filled the hall to the rafters. We laughed til we cried one minute and were in complete awe of such talent the next. Brilliant!! Whaddon (and Nash!) loved you! Thank you both".   Angie Joint

Hi Guys - you were brilliant last night - thanks so much for coming to Whaddon - we all had a great evening.  Pat Haig

 

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The Opera Dudes in Cumbria October 2011

6th, 7th, 8th October 2011

Day One.

All Hail the Opera Dudes - well it was hail all the way up the M62 but we had a hearty welcome when we arrived at Haile Village Hall and the show went down a storm. Mind you half the village had decided not to brave the weather and had gone on holiday to get a basting in sunny Turkey!

Wast Water Lake

 

After a long  journey and a show, we stayed in a very nice B&B, Forest How! A large Victorian House, dating back to the 1870´s, set in peaceful seclusion amidst five and a half acres of natural fellside.
Twenty minutes from Wast Water. 

Day Two.

On the 7th of October our tour took us two and a half miles up the road to Santon Bridge, where we were greeted by our name in lights - well, wood actually. 

Fame at last

We then met our charming host, David Evans. He may have been an eminent Nuclear Physicist - which he was - but he still struggled a bit with Allen's Theorem - otherwise known as how to set out chairs and tables cabaret style! Another great show and even the local spiders enjoyed it.

Day Three.

We arrived in Embleton just outside Cockermouth to find a community split by an A road – apparently half the village was on the money side and the other half was on the sunny side. No prizes for guessing which side we were on! Yes, you've got it and to add insult to injury, it was raining!!!

Anyway, we felt at home in this community as we have always known that the Opera Dudes are an act divided by a class system; one of us is on the nobby side and the other is on the gobby side! I leave it to you to work out which is which.... Neil or Tim.

Great (brand new) Village Hall, fantastic audience and the toilets would not have looked out of place in the Ritz. 

 

Shaun the sheep was well impressed
Ewe guys were great!! 

 

Arts Out West is a West Cumbria Rural Touring Scheme that brings top quality professional entertainment to village halls.

Opera in the Afternoon

Maria Druolou and Neil Allen "Tosca"

25th Sept 2011, Opera in the Afternoon with Magdala Opera at the Riding Hall Theatre, Thoresby.

Both Tim and I were performing at this event but not as the Opera Dudes. I was the Tenor soloist for the evening and Tim was performing on the piano.

The event was being staged by Magdala Opera,
.....a unique artist-led community organisation directed by Michelle Wegwart , whose purpose is to open up opportunities for people from all backgrounds to develop singing and performance skills in ways that encourages creativity, self-expression and self confidence....


 

The day started in true operatic style at 7am on the morning before the concert with a call from Maria Droulou, our  Soprano, informing us that she had had an accident on her way to the Airport in Vienna. She had fallen down the steps of the subway and had broken her ankle!  How to find a  soprano in 26 hours, who knew the repertoire ???? 


I have a great tenor friend  by the name of Mark Luther whose wife just happens to be a fantastic Soprano and was free, willing and able to do the concert - her name is Julie Unwin. Result!! 

Julie Unwin

The concert was a great success; the first half started with the 'Mario, Mario' Duet, Vissi D'arte and E lucevan le stelle from Puccini's Tosca. It was followed by an hilarious excerpt from the "La Cenerentola" and a sexy snippet from "Don Giovanni". The second half kicked off with highlights from "Marriage of Figaro"  and finished with the dramatic finale from the Bizet's 
 "Carmen". 





There is never a dull moment with the Opera Dudes!! 

 

Bulphan Village Hall,Essex on Tour

Saturday the 10th Sept 2011


It was great to be back in Essex after a two year absence. It was also our first visit to Buphan Village, apparently pronounced....Bull-van.... which means we arrived there in our Fiat "Fan". The audience didn't get that joke either!


We were greeted by the very lovely  Janet McCheyne who was running the event on behalf of Bulphan Village Community Forum.

It was, in fact, one of the prettiest villages we have been to; flower pots everywhere in all shapes and sizes, thanks to Bulphan in Bloom who have won many accolades including Gold in 2010 for Anglia in Bloom in addition to Best Village in Anglia. The village was also nominated for many other special awards for all their achievements – Best Drought Garden, Best Community and Best Youth Project.

Janet was also our host for the evening -  we were staying the night in her very unique, Farm House after the show. During the evening we found out that Janet had been awarded the MBE for her contribution to the Village of Bulphan. Well done Janet, you deserved it!!!



The audience were wonderful and gave us a rousing reception from the moment we came on stage. Their enthusiasm never diminished for the rest of the show.
Thanks for all your kind comments and I am sure we will be back with one of our other shows!!

Village Hall

A rather grand flower pot

"Saw your great show at Bulphan Village Hall last night. It was so good. Did not know what to expect in local hall but you were the best entertainment we have ever seen locally. Heaven knows how we afforded you both!!!! Come back soon....Thank you for such a great time"

David and Monica Gardner

Opera Dudes "Mission Improbable" at Rennington

3rd September 2011, Rennington Village Hall

Rennington Village Hall

The Opera dudes were here a year ago with Highlights Rural Touring

We had a great time, but unfortunately there were only 28 in the audience ;-( ..... Anne Watson who organizes the events told us it was the word "OPERA" that had discouraged them from coming.
There may have only been 28 but they sure enjoyed the Opera Dudes - so much so that they invited us back this year and booked us privately!
Anne and the other 28 went out into their community and spread the word "don't let the word "OPERA" put you off!!"

Anne did a great job, they sold out!
The Opera Dudes plus "Hog Roast" mmmmm yummy.

The Opera dudes Scarecrows (  The Wicker Man )

To our amazement when we arrived,  there were two effigies ( sorry  scarecrows ) of us outside the Village Hall complete with Tuxedo's, piano and microphones. " Spooky" is not the word! Apparently there is a  well known local competition every year and this year we were the stars. It felt a little like the "Wicker Man"

We had a fabulous night, from the first moment on stage to the last. A true Northumberland welcome! Thanks to all and we will see you next year so

       And here is the lady herself in this video i shot, the Dudes scarecrow builder Anne Watson!!

PS: Thanks to John and Pat for letting us stay with you, you were the perfect host's!!

If you get the chance to go to Northumberland, then do!! It is a fabulous part of our country and you will not dissapointed. But be careful if you go to Rennington you may end up in the "festival."

Opera Dudes "Licenced to Trill" Theberton Suffolk.

St Peters Church, Theberton

Saturday the 27th August 2011

This was the first date of our new tour, been a long time since we have been to Suffolk and the first time the Dudes had been to Theberton.
The venue for the gig was St Peters church and I must say what a wonderful place. The first thatch Church I have ever seen and a first to sing in.
A magnificent  building dating back to Norman/Saxon times and with its own Chorus of Bats!! The apex of the roof to the Church had recently been restored, a work of art. If you are ever in the area go and see it, you will not be disappointed. Click here for a link to a great website about the Church and surrounding Villages.

The Concert/gig went really well to say it was our first one back after a five week break.
The audience enjoyed our performance especially the  20 Bats that emerged and flew around the Church as I launched into "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera. SPOOKY!!

We had a very nice email from one of the wardens Simon Ilett, a really nice guy and a great help to us when setting up ( I only wish every one was as helpful ) I would like to share his email with you.

It was a pleasure to meet you both on Saturday.

I just wanted to let you know that the evening was a huge success and everybody without exception thoroughly enjoyed the concert.

We raised £1500 for much needed repairs to the Church and the success has enthused the PCC to hold similar events again!
 


I hope you found the Suffolk beers to your liking!

Thank you again for putting on such a great evening of entertainment. I hope that you have a great touring season.

Kind regards
Simon Ilett


One more thing before I call it a day! I must say thanks to Simon for inviting us to the Italian, three course meal that was served before the show. It was excellent, we much appreciated it!!

PS: The beer at the Lion was great, very very hic nice!!