This weekend sees one of Sri Lanka’s best known choral groups, the Merry An Singers performing at the Museum Theatre Egmore in Chennai presenting their show ‘The Best of Broadway’. They are hosted and sponsored by the Madras Musical Association (MMA).
The MMA, founded in 1893 (“the oldest this side of the Suez”) is one of the most well-known groups in India, with a rich history. Having performed in various parts of the world, the MMA often invites prestigious groups from overseas to Chennai – the latest being the Merry An Singers.
“This is a signal honour and we are delighted. The group has worked very hard, rehearsing almost daily and I am certain they will, as usual, go out there and wow’em!” said a proud Andrew David, Manager for the Mary Anne School of Vocal Music and Producer for the Merry An Singers.
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| Mary Anne, Andre and the rest of the group after a hectic session |
“We love performing to Indian audiences,” said the show’s director, André David, who has previously co-directed and choreographed the Merry An Singers in two successful concerts in Bangalore. “They are receptive and do not hold back their pleasure when a performance moves them.”
The Merry An Singers selected from the students of the Mary Anne School of Vocal Music have been entertaining Sri Lankan audiences for over 30 years and have produced nearly 60 full length concerts. “My husband Andrew and I established the Mary Anne School of Vocal Music in 1981 and the school has always had as its ultimate goal, the improvement of the vocal abilities of its students’ voices and instruction and coaching in correct vocal technique - vocal instruction is based on the Italian Bel Canto method,” said Mary Anne David, founder and conductor of the group and principal of the Mary Anne School of Vocal Music.
The concert in Chennai this weekend will be performed by a select group of 12 of the best singers from the Merry An Singers. The programme features some of the group’s signature hits like “That’s Entertainment”, “There’s no Business Like Show Business”, “One (Singular Sensation)”, and excerpts from their two most successful concerts in Colombo – “Cinemagic” which was directed by Andrew and Mary Anne David and “Cruising with Cole” which was produced by Andrew, with music direction by Mary Anne, and directed and choreographed by André David. The programme also includes some of Manhattan Transfer’s best loved hits and solo songs from several of Broadway’s most famous musicals.
“Rehearsals were on a hectic schedule, each one juggling school, university, exams, work commitments, family commitments and on top of that the ‘flu attacking so many of us with a vengeance! Our Facebook group made it easier to share the many messages, deadlines, costume requirements, words, music and videos,” said the Production Secretary and Coordinator for the Merry An Singers, Darshi de Mel, who is also part of the select group performing in Chennai.
“Practices are fun, and therefore we do not feel exhausted or tired after rehearsals. We have a crazy team this time and have been able to grow more or less as a family,” said enthusiastic young first bass, Ryan de Mel.
“We’re all great friends, and that way, it’s really easy for us to work together and bring this show to life. We love working with Aunty Mary Anne and Andre,” said Joshua Asokan who has been a soloist with the group from the tender age of eight.
“We’re presenting some of the best material we’ve done over the past few years to an audience that has never seen us perform it. It allows for the performance to be fresh as well as allowing us to try out new things with a completely unknown audience. It’s both a risk and a new learning experience for everyone in the choir,” said tenor Suchiththa, who has also been in the school from his pre-school days and, though currently following a degree programme in the United States, still performs with the group when he comes down three times a year for vacation.
“We’ve got a great team,” said André, “it’s easy to set high standards when you’ve got a hard-working and committed group to work with.”
The show’s musical direction is, as always, by Mary Anne, direction and choreography by André and management by Andrew. The group is accompanied by three of Sri Lanka’s finest musicians – Eshantha Peiris on keyboards, Sumudi Suraweera on drums and Isaac Smith on Double Bass. The entire proceeds of the concert will be for ‘The Sisters of the Poor Elders’ Homes’. |
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