I Will Tell featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodginson

Recently I have been sharing stories of our forthcoming musical theatre themed bible study, “A Journey of Faith.” (AJOF) As I have said AJOF is a spin off from our work in progress “Theophilus- The Musical” which will be the sequel to “Risen! The Musical.” So that is a round -about way of flagging up Risen!
I may have said that with the help of Edward Baker- Duly (who plays Luke in AJOF) I have rewritten Risen! to make it more accessible to those who are not familiar with the story. It is also being orchestrated by Harry Wells so that when it is performed again we will not use backing tracks but instead a live band on stage. Not sure if I have shared with you the new prologue, but if not I will next week.
Risen! The Musical was first produced as a pilot concert called “A Season of Singing” back in 2012. We then had various productions including it being filmed at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth in 2016. (please visit Risen! The Musical ::: About us)
It has been my great pleasure to have stayed in contact with many of the “Original London Cast” the name we used for the Risen! cast. Casey Lloyd, who played Cleopas’ friend, directed AJOF. I saw Benny Bright, who played Peter only this Saturday when he was performing in a nearby charity concert. Benny also produced and stars in the Steps tribute Show 5-6- 7- 8 and the Four Seasons tribute show “Bye, Bye Baby.” Andrew Dovaston, who played John, performed in our staged concert of “Theophilus- The Musical” as did Katie Forge (Mary Sister of Lazarus and Mary) and Adam Collins (Thaddeus.)
Max Panks, who played Jesus, performed the part of Saul/Paul in AJOF. Jody May Quirke, who played Mary Magdalene, is a teacher in Dubai and Johnny Fitzharris, who played James is i/c entertainment for a well -known cruise line company. Caroline Wetherfelt, who played Mary Mother of Jesus, directed and stared in our Risen! The Musical Theatre in Education tour as did Mikey Wooster who played Jesus in the first two Risen! productions.
I also speak with David Murray who played Thomas in Risen! and who performed at our concert featuring the Portsmouth Gospel Choir. Aaron Hayes, who played James son of Alphaeus in Risen! was recently the Technical Director of the Titchfield Festival Theatre and then there is Aaron Peart who played Nathaniel in Risen! Aaron was one of a number of students from the London College of Music who were introduced to the Show especially for the performances that were filmed. As soon as I heard Aaron speak I knew that he was special and here he is entertaining guests of a luxury cruise ship doing such a great job with the classic “Unchained Melody.”

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Father Help Me Acknowledge You featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodginson

Last week I said that I was off to see the “Phantom of the Opera” with my son Chris. It was performed at the beautiful His Majesty’s Theatre and we had the privilege of meeting the Phantom in his dressing room afterwards, but that’s another story.
The Show is of course fabulous with an amazing set and fantastic songs such as “Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You.” However, in the debate as to which is better out of Phantom and Les Mis for me it is Les Mis every time- the storyline is far stronger and there are many more songs- to be honest Phantom uses the same melodies over and over again. I have to say that they are so good, and it is done so well, that those same 5 or so melodies seem a lot more.
Today’s song, the lyrics of which are taken from the first chapter of Luke’s letter to Colossae, is sung by another actor who has played the Phantom – yes Mustard Seed Songs have been very blessed.
“He is the image of the invisible God” is not part of “A Journey of Faith” but it is sung by Paul in our work in progress “Theophilus- The Musical.”

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Jesus You Are Everything featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hogkinson.

Last week I told you that I was off to Global Fire studies to see the final visual edit of “A Journey of Faith” which, as you may know, is Mustard Seeds’ ongoing project Blog May June 7th “A Journey of Faith”- Filming complete | Risen
I have to say it is looking absolutely brilliant – Malachi is doing a fantastic job of editing – there are still a few tweaks, but we are sorting them tomorrow then, as I said last week, its off for the audio edit which will include additional orchestration. We also have to complete the written notes ready for a proposed launch in January.
Today’s featured video has the same amazing “mystery” singer who last week sang “You are the Shepherd of my Soul.”
Who is he? Well to give you a clue, last night I went to see the Phantom of the Opera with my son Chris, and it was not Chris that is singing! The singer is one of the very few in the world who have played both the Phantom and Jean Valjean of Les Mis – what a blessing that he sang for Mustard Seed Songs!!

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Webber/ Stilgoe/Hart

Father Help Me Acknowledge You featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hoginson

So sorry that this blog is posted a day late, but my wife and I have just returned from a lovely relaxing holiday in beautiful Madeira.

After taking our two doggies out for a walk I am off to Global Fire studies to see the final visual edit of “A Journey of Faith” which, as you may know, is Mustard Seeds’ ongoing project Blog May June 7th “A Journey of Faith”- Filming complete | Risen

This is the visual edit – the next part of the process is the audio edit which will include additional orchestration.  As “A Journey of Faith” is a study course using musical theatre to stimulate discussion on such challenging issues as “how can a God of love allow suffering” there will be accompanying study notes, which are also a work in progress. We hope to have everything ready for a launch in January.

“A Journey of Faith” is, of course, a spin off from our “Theophilus – The Musical” which is the sequel to “Risen! The Musical.”

One of the songs from both “A Journey of Faith” and “Theophilus – The Musical” is “You are the Shepherd of my Soul” sang rather beautifully in today’s featured video- I’ll tell you more of who the singer is next week.

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Jesus You Are Everything featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodginson

And here is the last of the archived Mustard Seed Song concerts. I think it was 2006 but I might be wrong. The concert opens with “I Will Sing To The Lord God” which is taken from Exodus 15 – The song of Moses and Miriam and which also features in our forthcoming “Theophilus – The Musical.”

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I Sing This Song Of Love For You featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

I recently saw an inspiring and moving post on Facebook describing how a humpback whale was freed by some brave divers after it became entangled in a net. And how the whale showed its appreciation by swimming up to and nuzzling each diver in turn.  I tried to copy the post but was unsuccessful, however I found on YouTube a number of similar rescues with the whales amazingly showing their appreciation to the rescuers.  Today’s post in another moment of sunshine showing one such rescue.

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Father Let Your Spirit Fall Upon Me featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson.

The National Anthem may divide opinion, but I have always enjoyed singing it – and remember well a rousing rendition when recently visiting Twickenham with my wife, Caroline.   My only problem is remembering it is now God save the King and not God save the Queen!

There is, of course some debate about the interim England Football Manager not singing the National Anthem – I’ll leave that one with you. Also, some of the original words are a tad “iffy” for example “O Lord our God arise, scatter our enemies, and make them fall! Confound their politics, frustrate their knavish tricks, on Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all.”

However, when I switched on the TV to see the end of The Last Night of the Proms I simply loved the Benjamin Britten version- especially the start of the second verse/chorus– a definite “Moment of Sunshine!

The National Anthem begins at 3.00 mins in– but the prelude is also great – “Jerusalem!”

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Music has the power to heal, to soothe, and to transport us to a different world.

Benjamin Britten

Bathe Me In Your Light featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H34eQdWHdiE?feature=share

What words are they to describe the performances we witnessed during the recent Paris Para- Olympics?  Inspirational, courageous, heartwarming, heart- breaking? It is said a picture paints a thousand words and now videos perhaps even more.  So, today’s blog features a picture (well photo) and a video.

I did the high jump quite a bit in my youth – first at Primary School using the “Scissors” technique in which you landed on your feet. As the landing area was made up of hard coconut matting no other technique was feasible (unless of course you were mad!)  Then at Secondary school sand pits allowed the “Western Roll” in which you landed on your side. Then at College, “Straddle” which was similar to “Western Roll” but, like its name suggests, the bar was straddled with one leg then the other (“Western roll” had both legs clearing the bar at the same time.”) Then with the advent of crash mats and a high jump phenomenon named Dick Fosbury it was the “Fosbury” or “Fosbury Flop” as it was first called. So, with this background I was in total awe of what the high jumper in the video achieved.

The camaraderie which was intrinsic to the Para- Olympics is beautifully portrayed in the featured photo of wheelchair tennis singles finalists Alfie Hewitt and Tokito Oda, Tokito had just beaten Alfie and in the emotion of winning fell out of his wheelchair – Alfie came over to the other side of the net to help Tokito back into his chair, replacing a wheel and ending in an embrace of mutual respect.  Magic!

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Jesus is the Alphabet featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson.

Last week I said that I was so excited as I was about to go to the Global Fire Studies to view the edit of all ten episodes of “A Journey of Faith.” Well, I have to say that I was overjoyed with what I saw – Malachi of Global Fire Creative has been doing a fantastic job. So next the edit is off to Casey, our Director for his input, then Joffy, our MD for the audio edit and then we have a promo to produce.
In the meantime, another archive Mustard Seed Concert – this one from 2005 at the Oasis Church, Portsmouth. It was produced in support of the charity “Faith and Football” and features its Director, Mick Mellows interviewing Portsmouth FC legend, Linvoy Primus – you can find that at about 25 mins in. Not sure why the video lasts over three hours – the concert certainly did not – it must repeat itself for some reason.

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In Times of Trouble featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

I am excited as tomorrow I go to the Global Fire Studies to view the edit of all ten episodes of “A Journey of Faith.” After I have had a look, it gets passed to Casey, our Director for his input and then Joffy, our Musical Director for the audio edit which will include more orchestration.
I am, at present, reviewing the Bible notes I have written with various people offering their comments. We will hopefully have everything completed before Christmas, but as everything stops for Christmas the actual launch will probably be January. Will let you know!
Next week I have another archive Mustard Seed concert to share but this week it’s another moment of sunshine.

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