Review: Children’s Classic Concerts with the RSNO, Space Invaders, Usher Hall

****

RIGHT from the start it was apparent that this was going to be a fun event. Besides the light sticks carried by the children in the audience, the members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra were in space-theme fancy dress, including a cyberman, an alien or two, and a couple of Star Trek officers.

Introducing each piece of music were Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox – suitably dressed as astronauts and walking in slow motion – who kept the whole show moving upwards and onwards, actively encouraging audience participation.

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With conductor Christian Kluxen leading the orchestra with a lightsaber, rather than a baton, the lights were lowered and the musicians launched into Also Sprach Zarathustra, a piece to which they returned several times during the proceedings, with the brass section gleefully tooting on kazoos.

It was what we have come to enjoy and expect from the Classic Concerts series. At only an hour long, and with non-stop nonsense from Owen and Olly, the kids and adults were held enthralled throughout a well thought out programme that included Holst’s Jupiter and Mars, along with music from Star Wars and ET.

At one point the madcap presenters invited the audience to count down in the style of the Thunderbirds introduction, signalling the launch sequence for the orchestra to deliver a superb medley of space-themed film and TV favourites.

The Flying Theme from ET was accompanied by the presenters on bikes with a mock-up of ET in the wicker basket. It would have been a wonderful experience had it all stopped there, but in keeping with what has now become a tradition, the orchestra delivered a lively rendition of Rossini’s Galop from William Tell. This was the signal for the kids to really let go, and mayhem reigned as the jubilant youngsters clapped along and joined in punching giant balloons around the venue.

A stellar show that delighted the whole audience.

Run ended

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