Classic concert for Christmas

Shona, who lives in Folkingham, Lincolnshire, was the youngest actress to play the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera at the age of just 21.

She has since gone on to leading roles in Singin’ in The Rain and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

She comes to Nottingham fresh from playing Roxie Hart in the Aberystwyth Theatre’s acclaimed production of Chicago.

Shona’s impressive stage presence is matched by a voice to die for.

Victor Hallet of The Stage Review described her voice as “sublime”, and she has also impressed none other than the Hallé’s music director Sir Mark Elder.

The concert next Thursday 22nd December gives the audience plenty of opportunities to appreciate her vocal prowess.

It will feature Leonard Bernstein’s showstopping assault course for singers, Glitter and be Gay, the centrepiece of a festive programme that includes seasonal favourites such as White Christmas and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Conductor Stephen Bell is the genial host for this perennially popular event in the Royal Concert Hall’s calendar.

Those who enjoyed the Hallé’s outdoor concert at Wollaton Hall last year will know that Stephen is a great presenter as well as an inspiring conductor.

For this concert he’ll be taking the Hallé through a lively programme of popular classics, including best-loved pieces from Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov to George Gershwin and Malcolm Arnold.

Prokofiev’s magical suite for orchestra, Lieutenant Kije, adds some orchestral oomph whilst Leroy Anderson’s irrepressible Christmas classic Sleigh Ride will send everyone home with a smile.

The Nottingham Classics Christmas Concert begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10 - £32 and are available from the box office on 0115 989 5555 or online at www.trch.co.uk/nottinghamclassics.

Meanwhile, tonight the Royal Concert Hall will feature the sounds of Motown.

Now in its ninth successive year, this stunning live show celebrates the very best of 50 golden years of Motown music, featuring songs from legendary artists such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, The Isley Brothers and many more thanks to five talented vocalists.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £18 to £24.