Spread holiday cheer with Marionettes

NORMALLY, at this time of year the BP Marionettes Chorale would be preparing for live shows at Queen’s Hall, St Ann's. However, for the first time in just over 50 years, the group has had to explore a different approach to spreading holiday cheer.

Starting this weekend the Marionettes will present Christmas with the Marionettes – your way! specially produced for television and online platforms. The virtual holiday concert will feature the chorale through the years in all its musical and visual splendour, said a media release.

In March, when rehearsal plans were aborted for the annual mid-year concert series as a result of restrictions by the covid19 pandemic, the group looked for alternative ways to stay connected with supporters. It began uploading some of its most popular past concerts to its YouTube channel for viewing at no cost.

Some of the work already published online ranges from classic performances – including all five recordings of Bizet’s Carmen and Broadway excerpts from the Mosaic series; the September 2019 tribute to prolific arranger Desmond Waithe; special anniversary concerts; and the premiere of cherished works like The Armed Man: a Mass for Peace and Calling All Dawns. The performances date back to 1980. In addition, there is also newly-released audio of the performances featuring the Marionettes and Pan Am North Stars steel orchestra together at Queen’s Hall in 1966 and 1968.

With the support of bpTT, the group's sponsor since 1972, the YouTube uploads continued with the collection of Christmas material to include productions stretching back to 1984; a concert produced with the BP Renegades Steel Orchestra with appearances by Willard "Relator" Harris, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Kees Dieffenthaller and Trinidad All Stars.

Much of the two-hour Christmas production was culled from digitised archival footage, with song choices and performances suggested by patrons and members, the release said.

The full, two-hour version will air on Trinity TV and the livestream on Christmas Day at 8 pm, with a repeat in the new year. An 80-minute version will air on TTT and the Marionettes' social media pages on Christmas Eve at 8 pm. The two-hour concert will also be streamed on the Marionettes Facebook and YouTube pages on December 20 at 6.30 pm and December 26 at 7.30 pm. Both streams on the Marionettes platforms will remain available on-demand after they have premiered.

For more info: Marionettes Chorale Facebook and YouTube pages.