Kim Wilde and husband Hal Fowler with Welwyn Harmony Ladies Chorus

MEMBERS of Welwyn Harmony Chorus are putting the finishing touches to a variety show to raise funds for the Isabel Hospice this weekend.

Hal Fowler singing to Welwyn Harmony Chorus

The ladies’ singing group presents Showtime! at Campus West’s Hawthorne Theatre on Saturday, May 12 in aid of the WGC-based hospice, the Welwyn Hatfield Times’ 2012 charity of the year.

Rehearsals for the show at their The Vineyard Barn base in Welwyn Garden City attracted VIP guests in the shape of singer Kim Wilde and her husband Hal Fowler, who are both patrons of Isabel Hospice.

Chorus member June Wright said: “Kim and Hal arrived at a rehearsal as we were singing.

“Our rehearsal hall has large mirrors on the far wall, so we saw them as they arrived, and some elbowing was used to nudge each other, with huge grins on our faces.

Isabel Hospice WHT 30th logo

“We had expected them to perhaps stay for a while, and leave after hearing a few songs, but we were elated when they stayed to hear us sing most of our repertoire.”

She added: “Kim cried with emotion when we sang certain ballads.

“They commented that they loved the way we sang and moved, and that we all looked so happy.”

Hal is an accomplished West End performer, and he sang to members in their own a cappella style, after tapping a note on the piano.

June said: “We all listened in awe at Hal’s amazing voice as he sang to us, and then told us that they hoped they could bring something to our show, if their schedules permitted.”

Unfortunately Kim will be away when the variety show takes place, but Hal has agreed to sing at the end of Showtime!

June said: “Hal Fowler has appeared in numerous famous shows in the West End, and his voice is amazing, so we are very lucky.”

Other acts include ‘Magic Dave’ Dave Allen, who uses a mix of comedy, magic and ventriloquism.

The Phipps School of Irish Dancing, with children aged four to 11, will also be performing, as will male barbershop quartet Reunion.

Other performers include Rance’s Rocking Chair Band with their wonderful trad jazz, singer Amanda Hicks, Run of the Mill featuring folk singer Jenny McNaught and Alan Halse on the guitar, who are well known in St Albans folk circles, and Welwyn Harmony will also sing.

Showtime! at the Hawthorne Theatre starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets priced £15 are available from the box office on 01707 357117 or from www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk

For more details, visit www.welwynharmony.co.uk