Phantom's Peter Straker haunts Radlett farm for charity (From Harrow Times)

Phantom's Peter Straker haunts Radlett farm for charity

3:43pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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West End stars are among the special guests taking to the stage at Battlers Green Farm’s 50th birthday bash next weekend, for a one-off concert in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Headliners Sharon D Clarke, the BBC’s Last Choir Standing judge and Peter Straker, the original Phantom of the Opera, will be taking visitors on a musical theatre trip, charting five decades of the best West End shows.

Warren Wills, the internationally renowned, award-winning composer and musical director, will also be performing alongside cast members from shows like We Will Rock You, plus Andrew Mitchell and The Big Funk Corporation.

Warren has played and composed for the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as Woody Allen in New York City. Last year he received the Philip Lawrence Award and Community Heroes for his work with Haringey Shed. He is glad to be back working with Sharon for whom he composed and played keyboard for her 2008 album Lost and Found.

I’m fortunate God has granted me a great set of pipes and lungs

Peter Straker

Peter and Warren come to Radlett fresh from a smash-hit run in Edinburgh with Peter’s I’m Still Here written and directed by Mel Smith. The show, which gleaned rave reviews looked back over Peter’s 40-year career in show business, which began in the ‘70s when he was part of the original London cast of Hair.

The anniversary concert in Radlett will also feature songs from his repertoire that highlight Peter’s astonishing vocal range with hits from Hair, Phantom, The Rocky Horror Show and Queen.

“I always sang in the house with my mother who was an opera singer,” says Peter. “I’m fortunate God has granted me a great set of pipes and lungs.”

Warren tells me he and Peter met 20 years ago on the James Whale Show. A composer, musical director and pianist, Warren is also working with producer Adrian Silas on Genesis To Broadway and reprising his role as musical director for Aladdin, at the New Wimbledon Theatre, starring Pamela Anderson.

“I love doing inclusive musical theatre and world music such as Arabic, Jewish and Chinese,” adds Warren. “I’m currently working on some major Picasso concerts with the Spanish Government.”

Join Peter, Warren and frineds for Music on the Farm, the brainchild of Paul Haworth whose family has farmed at Battlers Green for 50 years.

Paul has gone to great lengths to offer “something for all the family” and entertainment includes a DJ Barn for teenagers, dodgems and children’s attractions.

There will also be a European food court and the opportunity to experience all the delights of the Battlers Green Farm Rural Shopping village.

Music on the Farm takes place at Battlers Green Farm, Radlett on Saturday, September 11 from 6pm-12am. Details: 0844 888 9991, www.ticketline.co.uk