Life is a Cabaret at Ardingly

Life is a Cabaret at Ardingly 

Ardingly’s popular annual Cabaret evening took place on Saturday 25th March; a dazzling array of talent included a number of younger pupils making their debut.

This 13th Cabaret was compered sublimely by Colin Mackay and Ashley Johnston and the Jazz Band played a central role, beginning the evening’s entertainment with two numbers, Singin’ in the Rain and Traces. There were performances from the Saxophone Ensemble, Schola Cantorum and  the Ardingly Gentlemen. Upper Sixth students Megan Fudge and Connie Jobling  gave their own interpretation of I dreamed a dream whilst Nicole Ng showed off both her vocal talent and zest for performance with a dynamic rendition of Whitney Houston’s I have nothing. The first half was brought to a close by Hannah German’s powerful performance of Skyfall, accompanied by the Jazz Band

Following the interval in which delicious food was served, Oliver Ferres showed his prowess on the clarinet with his performance of Horowitz’s jazz inspired Clarinet Sonatina, a work which had  won him the coveted award of the Ardingly Young Musician of the Year a week earlier. Performing for one of the last times at the College, Nicole Ng and Ashley Johnston showed they will be missed next year, with a very individual interpretation of Michael Jackson’s Rock with you. Light in style and with some sublime harmonies, this was a moving and characterful performance which so typified what this talented duo have produced over the years. There was still time for Luca Williams to entertain with his charismatic performance of Mack the Knife before all performers returned to the stage to sing with the Jazz Band. Andy Williams’ Can’t take my eyes off you was a fitting end to a great evening.