Alfie Boe and Michael Ball stun crowds at Walcot Hall - with gallery
They are each superstars of the musical stage in their own right but last night Shropshire got a taste of what they can do together.
Thousands took their seats in the balmy summer evening air at Walcot Hall to see Alfie Boe and Michael Ball perform a host of favourites, from the musics of Les Miserables to Wonderful World, When You Wish Upon a Star and You'll Never Walk Alone.
Classical tenor Boe and musical theatre star Ball toured more conventional venues with songs from their double platinum-selling album Together last year, and announced they would be adding more dates at unusual outdoor venues earlier this year – shadowing Cliff Richard on his Just... Fabulous Rock n Roll comeback tour, for which he decided to play in the grounds of historic castles and picturesque country estates.
Cliff will play Walcot Hall, in Lydbury North, near Bishop's Castle, tonight, but last night belonged to Alfie and Michael, who played what was just the second date on their summer tour, having started at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, on Sunday.
They have announced they will release a follow up album to Together later this year on Decca, and some of the songs performed last night will no doubt make their way onto it.
Speaking before they took to the specially constructed stage in the grounds of Walcot Hall, a country house that is more used to hosting wedding guests than gig-goers, Michael Ball said: “There is something magical about being in the open air when you sing.
“There is an atmosphere when the sun goes down, the lights come up on the stage and you are in a place where the music disappears into the ether. It’s a truly unique and special experience.”
Alfie added: “When we perform together something just clicks, it works. We are great friends both on and off the stage and I think that comes across. When you are comfortable performing with someone, as myself and Michael are together, then I think that comes out in the performance and makes these nights truly memorable."
Having first met in 2006 while performing in Kismet with the English National Opera, Michael and Alfie have become lifelong friends.
Gates open once more at 5pm tonight for Cliff Richard, who will be supported by Britain's Got Talent winners Collabro.
