Presented by Aled Jones
Aled Jones explores the role of Christianity within the arts. He meets the artists who wear their faith on their sleeve, including stand up comedienne Jo Enright, film director Neville Raschid, Choir girl of the year 2008 Alice Halstead and X factor finalist Rhydian Roberts who performs The Prayer and explains how musical theatre was behind his conversion to Christianity. Congregational hymns include O Worship the King and Beauty for Brokenness.
Producer: Andrew Fenner
Director: David Kremer
Executive Producer: Hugh Faupel
TAKING PART
Presenter
Aled Jones
PERFORMERS
Annette Aubrey
Jo Enright
Alice Halstead
Neville Raschid
Rhydian Roberts
The London Chorus
The Highgate Choral Society
St Jude-on-the-Hill Choir
CONDUCTORS
Ronald Corp
Nicholas Chalmers
ORGANIST
Nicholas Chalmers
JO ENRIGHT
Jo Enright (born 1968 in Birmingham) is an English stand-up comedian and actress who has appeared in a number of television and radio comedy programmes including; Time Trumpet (2006), Lab Rats (2008) Britain's Got the Pop Factor (2008) Round (2003). In 1995 she made her Edinburgh Festival debut as part of the three-hander The West Midland's Serious Comedy Squad.
She attended St Edmund Campion Catholic School, Erdington and then studied Drama at Middlesex University.
She speaks to Songs of Praise about how her faith strengthens and uplifts her and of how being able to pray with other Christians in the Arts helps her in times when being on stage and having to deal with the rejections, the heckling, etc. would otherwise prove impossible.
RHYDIAN ROBERTS
Rhydian was raised in a mainly Christian family - his mother is a Christian, his father is not, (but he is praying for him). He was raised in Sunday School, but did not consider himself a Christian until he went to University in Birmingham.
He was appearing as Pontius Pilate in a student production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and he was watching footage of the original stage version. He was so moved by Jesus on the Cross, that he decided he wanted to be a Christian.
He speaks to us about his faith, and how his Christianity helps him to cope with the many temptations put his way just by being in the Arts.
ANNETTE AUBREY
12 years ago, at the age of 30, Annette was on the brink of a successful career as a choreographer, when she felt God calling her out of the world of secular dance and into full-time ministry. It coincided with difficult time in her personal life when she got ill and her marriage ended. The outcome of all of this was Pneumata Productions, a Dance company with God at its centre.
Annette talks to us about her experiences and how they brought her closer to God. She tells us about the impact that she is able to have on the community by being in the arts, of the reasons why dance is the important medium by which she is able to express God's love and how she came to establish her dance company Pneumata.
Pneumata is comprised of a creative team of professional artists, mostly who are Christians. Since formed in 1994, it has collaborated with others to produce dance spectacular shows and pieces in venues as diverse as art galleries, Wembley Stadium and grade one theatres.
They take their work into prisons, schools - universities and work with many disadvantaged/minority people groups.
Contact: Annette Aubrey
Email: beyonddance@pneumata.com
Tel: 07740 676486 / 0207 099 1176
Website: www.pneumata.com/
NEVILLE RASCHID
Neville is a film producer who's been making films for the British film industry for many years. He lives and works in Ealing and his most recent film, Ealing Comedy, has had great reviews. A lot of it was shot in St Andrews URC in Ealing.
He speaks to us about the difficulties of being a Christian in the film world, how he became a Christian and how having a faith helps him to 'survive' in the arts.
SIGNATURE TUNE
Title: "SONGS OF PRAISE" SIGNATURE TUNE
Composer: Robert Prizeman
Performers: Robert Prizeman, Maurice Murphy, Steven Geraghty
Details: Sheet music for the Songs of Praise signature tune is published by Chester Music, catalogue number CH55835. You can listen to the theme tune on CD 2 of the Songs of Praise Album.
MUSIC 1
Hymn: O WORSHIP THE KING
Source: Songs of Praise Hymnbook #15; v1, 2 and 6
Words: GRANT, Robert (1779-1838) based on Psalm 104
Music: From a supplement to the New Version, 1708 probably by CROFT, William (Descant by Alan Gray)
Arranger: RAMSKILL, Robert
Tune: Hanover
Performed by: Congregation of St Jude-on-the-Hill (The London Chorus, The Highgate Choral Society, St Jude-on-the-Hill Choir) accompanied by 4 musicians fixed by Colin Sheen; James Watson (trumpet), Michael Laird (trumpet) Owen Slade (Tuba) Martin Owen (Horn) and Colin Sheen (Trombone) conducted by Ronald Corp/Nicholas Chalmers
MUSIC 2
Hymn: O SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
Source: Antiphon at the Visitation of the Sick, in the Book of Common Prayer
Words: Trad. Liturgical
Music: GOSS, John (1800-1880)
Performed by: The Highgate Choral Society accompanied by Nicholas Chalmers (organ) and conducted by Ronald Corp
Copyright: Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL)
MUSIC 3
Hymn: AVE MARIA
Words: Trad. Liturgical
Music: HEAD, Michael
Performed by: Alice Halstead
MUSIC 4
Hymn: BEAUTY FOR BROKENNESS
Source: Songs of Praise Hymnbook #267, v1, 4 and 5
Words: KENDRICK, Graham (b.1950)
Music: KENDRICK, Graham (b.1950)
Arranger: WHITBOURN, James (b.1963)
Publisher: Beauty for Brokenness
Performed by: Congregation of St Jude-on-the-Hill (The London Chorus, The Highgate Choral Society, St Jude-on-the-Hill Choir) accompanied by 4 musicians fixed by Colin Sheen; James Watson (trumpet), Michael Laird (trumpet) Owen Slade (Tuba) Martin Owen (Horn) and Colin Sheen (Trombone) conducted by Ronald Corp/Nicholas Chalmers
MUSIC 5
Hymn: LOCUS ISTE
Words: Liturgical Gradual
Music: BRUCKNER
Performed by: The London Chorus
MUSIC 6
Name: THE PRAYER
Words: BAYER SAGER, Carole / FOSTER, David
Music: BAYER SAGER, Carole / FOSTER, David
Arranger: Janson and Janson
Performed by: Rhydian Roberts accompanied by strings(Emily Ogilvie (Flute), Time Robinson (Viola), Matt Glossop (Violin), Patrick Roberts (Violin), Martin Lissola (Violin) and Nat Jones (Violin) and Backing vocals (Jo Harrop, Rebecca Watson, Hannah Pedley, Annie Lower, Lisa Law and Clara Belle).
This is available on CD:
Album: Rhydian
Track: 4
CD Label: Sony/BMG
Publisher: Carlin Music Corp
CD No: 886974 18512
MUSIC 7
Hymn: THE CHURCH'S ONE FOUNDATION
Source: Songs of Praise Hymnbook #176, v1, 2 and 5
Words: STONE, Samuel J (1839-1900)
Music: WESLEY, S S (1810-1876)
Tune: Aurelia
Performed by: Congregation of St Jude-on-the-Hill (The London Chorus, The Highgate Choral Society, St Jude-on-the-Hill Choir) accompanied by 4 musicians fixed by Colin Sheen; James Watson (trumpet), Michael Laird (trumpet) Owen Slade (Tuba) Martin Owen (Horn) and Colin Sheen (Trombone) conducted by Ronald Corp/Nicholas Chalmers
INCIDENTAL MUSIC
Visual: Under opening (history of Christianity and Art)
Track Title: CS1 - Art and Architecture Vol.1
CD: The Art of Fugue
Track: 9
Name: Contrapunctus
Artist: String Quartet
Composer: BACH, JS
Publisher KPM
Sufix/Prefix CS1
Visual: Under passion play
Track Title: A Noble Sadness
Track: 1
CD: Adiago
Artist: London Symphony Orchestra
Composer: HARVEY, Richard
Label: KPM
Publisher: KPM
Sufix/Prefix KPM 314
Visual: Rhydian promo video
Track Title: The Impossible Dream
Artist: Rhydian Roberts
Composer: LEIGH, Mitch
Words: DARION, Joe
Label: Carlin Music Corp
Publisher: Carlin Music Corp
Sufix/Prefix ASIN B001 HT0R06
This is available on CD:
Album: Rhydian
Track: 1
CD Label: Sony/BMG
Publisher: Carlin Music Corp
CD No: 886974 18512
Visual:
Track Title: Mrs Worthington
Track: 16
CD: Legends of the 20th Century: Noel Coward
Artist: Noel Coward
Composer: COWARD, Noel
Label: EMI Records Ltd
Publisher: EMI 07243 499923 20
THE GLEE CLUB
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday four of the best comedians from the UK and International circuit take to the Glee stage. Each show features one compere, who will be the comedy guide for the night. They will introduce 3 top acts who will do their finest to rip the lid off the room.
In Birmingham the club has two comedy rooms, the Main Room and the Studio. Think of the Main Room has theatre style seating with tables. Then it also has the Studio, a cosy, smaller space with theatre style seating and a bar. During the winter months the Studio holds a second show every Saturday.
Address: The Arcadian, Birmingham, B5 4TD
Website: http://www.glee.co.uk/
THE COMEDY STORE
Location for interview with Jo Enright.
The Comedy Store first opened its doors in London on 19th May 1979 in Soho!
Nowadays, The Comedy Store experience is a far cry from the cramped conditions of The Gargoyle Club where comics were forced to change in a broom cupboard. Here you will find What's on in London and Manchester, Bar and Restaurant information and all sorts of Comedy Store extras.
Address: 1a Oxendon Street, London, SW1Y 4EE
Website: http://www.thecomedystore.co.uk/
St JUDE-ON-THE-HILL CHURCH
All the main music in the programme was recorded at this location.
Saint Jude's is the parish church of the world-renowned model community of Hampstead Garden Suburb and a Christian community worshipping in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition.
The church is in the West Barnet Deanery of the Edmonton Area of the Diocese of London, Church of England.
This magnificent Grade I Listed building is generally considered to be Lutyen's finest church. It is one of only two 20th Century churches to feature in Simon Jenkins' recent and highly acclaimed book, "England's Thousand Best Churches".
Address: The Vicarage, Central Square, London NW11 7AH
Contact: The Reverend Alan Walker
Tel: 0208 455 7206
Website: http://www.stjudes.org.uk/
St ANDREW'S URC
St Andrew's United Reform Church was the location for interview with Neville Raschid. It is his local church and the location for many of the scenes in his film.
Address: Mount Park Road, Ealing, London W5
Contact: Rev. Dr. Tony Haws
Tel: 0208 566 9642
Website: http://www.st-andrews-ealing.urc.org.uk/
EALING COMEDY
Alfie Singh, Accountant turned Film Producer, has a great idea for a film. It's called 'Ealing Comedy' and it's about an Accountant turned Film Producer called Alfie Singh. Alfie will play himself and his real son Paul will play his son in the film. Turned down by all the Financiers, Alfie vows to make the film himself. His life with his teenage son and his struggles to finance and make the film are all woven together in a series of mad-cap events concluding in a very British triumph.
Contact: T +44 (0)20 8998 3591 / F +44 (0)20 8810 5260
Website: www.ealingcomedymovie.com
Producer/Director: Neville Raschid
Screenwriter: Jon Croker
Principal Cast: Kulvinder Ghir, Paul Raschid, Sasha Waddell, Alistair McGowan, Leena Dhingra
Production Company: Pippa Films Ltd