Stars on the bill as village to host Glyndebourne-style opera night

AN international opera singer from Milford will be joined by a cast of professionals for a one-off performance of Carmen at Milford Community Centre on Saturday 31st August.

The opera has been arranged by Colin Judson, who lives in Lymore Lane, and will feature a cast of professional singers performing an adapted version of the hugely popular show.

Colin recently won glowing reviews in the national press for his performance in Dvorak’s Rusalka at Glyndebourne.

He will be joined for the Milford event by Michelle Stone, Carolyn Dobbin, James Cleverton and Yvette Bonner. Under the direction of Colin’s wife Pippa, the cast will be accompanied by Richard Black on piano.

The concert will also feature a long interval so attendees can enjoy Glyndebourne-style picnics in the gardens of Milford Guide hut next door to the community centre.

Milford Community Centre spokesperson Sue Whitlock said: “It is a very ambitious event for us to put on but we are hugely honoured that Colin, an international star, will be appearing for us at the community centre.

"It really will be a lovely evening of wonderful world class music at a fraction of the cost of visiting Glyndebourne.”

The performance will begin at 5pm with an interval at around 6.15pm for 90 minutes which will enable attendees to move next door to picnic in the gardens of the guide hut.

Organisers will erect a marquee and provide tables so audience members can bring along their own food to enjoy.

Sue said: “There will be somewhere at the Guide hut during the afternoon if anyone would like to go along before the opera to arrange their tables and lay tablecloths or anything else they want. We will also be giving everyone a glass of fizz on arrival.”

Tickets to the opera evening are £35 per person, available from Milford Community Centre box office by calling 01590 644861 or online at www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk.