An Australian composer, Lindsay Aked, had set the poetry of British poet James Fletcher to create a magical look at the homage given by the Three Kings to the Baby Jesus. This was Lindsay Aked’s last work before he died early last year.
FAMS Theatre Company presented its world premiere performance produced and directed by Judy Lindeman with 16 of its talented singers. FAMS was founded 40 years ago as a Christian group performing Gilbert and Sullivan in Warringah. Now with a wider focus, it presents plays, musicals, cantatas as well as still excelling in Gilbert and Sullivan.
The performance was fully costumed, choreographed and sung by 4 soloists, a trio of angels and a 4-part choir that lasted for 20 minutes. It was part of an evening service in 3 different churches on 3 Sundays leading to Christmas last year: Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Beacon Hill on 28 November, St. Johns Anglican Church in Dee Why on 5 December and the Forest Kirk in Frenchs Forest on 19 December.
The pianist and Musical Director was Prue Gibbs. The cast include Sarah Cocco as Mary, David Visentin and Mike Olsen with Mike Todd as the Three Kings. The angels were Elizabeth Hylton (of X-Factor), Amanda Berckelman and Lyn Johnson-Read.Guest performer was Kim Pickering-Jones (Australia Has Got Talent), Cita Lazo-Hoesrch was one of the soprano singers in the choir. Some Filipinos from across Sydney went specially to see the performance which they enjoyed.
With a splendid world’s first, Lindsay Aked would have been absolutely delighted. Three performances were too few for such great work but that was just the beginning. This will be played over and over again
and FAMS Theatre Company was very proud to have done it first.