‘Spooktastic’ thriller for Hallowe’en at Thorngate

By Richard Bunce

SUNDAY’S Hallowe’en Concert at Thorngate Halls was a huge success – we haven’t seen the ballroom so full for ages.

At the organ, Chris Milburn and Lyndon Ford played a varied programme of spooky numbers, classical favourites, show tunes, and requests. They weren’t allowed to leave without an encore, and if you listen to the recorded concert on Facebook, you can tell how much the audience were enjoying themselves.

Lyndon began the seasonal selection with Phantom of the Opera, and continued with some finger-clicking audience participation for the Addams Family signature tune. Chris’s contribution to the horror theme featured a rousing version of the Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The second half included some classical pieces from Chopin and Bach. Chris’s jazzed up version of the Toccata and Fugue was a particular highlight. The audience requests ranged through Glenn Miller standards, a selection from South Pacific, and a sing-along to ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ from Monty Python.

This was the Gosport and District Organ Club’s first concert for two years. Covid meant that all events for 2020 had to be cancelled, and nothing has been possible until now. After Sunday’s success, there are bound to be more events soon. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for news.

Another first is that the concert was live-streamed, so if you weren’t there, or you’d like to see it again, you can find the recording on Facebook at ‘Gosport Compton Theatre Organ Group’. The camera was rolling from well before the start, and all through the interval, so the first half starts 16 minutes in, and the second half at 1 hour 44. You have to be a member of the group to see it, so click on the ‘Join’ button and the admin staff will let you in.

Your next chance to see Chris and Lyndon at the organ will be 7.30pm on December 20 at Titchfield Festival Theatre.