This personal message from Heavilyn Sarpong, the Vocal Director of the Portsmouth Gospel Choir, has reached nearly 10000 people and is closing in on 3000 views. Hope you enjoy it!

Heavilyn Sarpong – Vocal Director of the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir with Terry Powell on FM Express – promoting Risen!- The Musical

“Here I am because I love You” – featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Where Would I Be Without You? recorded and produced by Ross Gill

So Heavilyn, Philipa and Francine of the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir went with me to London on Sunday to meet the London Touring Cast in rehearsal. The cast and choir all got on brilliantly and it was fantastic seeing them working together on the vocal harmonies that are going to delight all those that see “Risen!- The Musical” Nov 6th an 7th at the New Theatre Royal.
When we returned to Portsmouth we were interviewed by my good friend Terry Powell for his FM Express programme “Terry in the Building.” I don’t think it will shock anyone when I say the focus of the interview was “Risen!- The Musical” but Heavilyn also shared how she, Philipa and Francine all have parents that originate in Ghana- a country where my church, Holy Rood and ex school, Crofton have close links.
Here is some more information on the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir. Btw one reason why this blog is a day late is that we have been working on a “Risen!” promo clip and today Heavilyn was filmed at the Global Fire studios – Global Fire Director Ross Gill played guitar, sang, recorded and produced many Mustard Seed albums including “Heart and Soul” “His Story” and the featured album of today “Where Would I Be Without You? “
Here are some more details of the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir:
University of Portsmouth Gospel Choir affectionately known as PGC was first founded 5 years ago by a group of four students who had a vision to spread the Gospel through their voices. Today, PGC is in its 5th year and its growth has been tremendous, with a community of over 70 members.

Our vision this year is led by a scripture from Romans, which reads:
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

‭‭We, as a community of students, understand the calling God has given, us and are filled with a fire to serve Christ through praise and worship; our aim being to become more than just a University choir; we want to spread the Gospel to the masses.‬‬‬‬‬‬

Last year we sang at weddings, funerals and we were fortunate enough to become 1st runners up for the University Gospel Choir of the Year after being selected as a wildcard. We want to keep up this momentum, rehearsing every Monday and performing as often as possible.

If you wish to learn any more about PGC, please contact us on our email gospel-choir@upsu.net or on Facebook or Instagram under Portsmouthgospelchoir .

The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth – re- opened yesterday after two years of refurbishment  and now ready for Risen!- The Musical Nov 6h – 7th

“Restore Us Lord God Almighty” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Where Would I Be Without You?”

So last week I promised to tell you more of the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir and what I can tell you is that they are fantastic! I went to a rehearsal with them on Wednesday and was bowled over by their beautiful voices, their enthusiasm, their commitment and their obvious love for Jesus.
It was such a great idea of Caroline Sharman the CEO of the New Theatre Royal to suggest that I contact the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir because Portsmouth University have been a major partner in the refurbishment of the Theatre – and what a great way to advance that association than to have representatives of the University taking part in the first local community production at the NTR.
All in the Gospel Choir are fantastic but I have been working particularly closely with Heavilyn, Shani, Philippa Francine and Leslie and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the hard work they are putting into making Risen!- The Musical the huge success that we are sure it will be. On Sunday some of them are journeying with me to London to join the London Touring Cast for a joint rehearsal, but more of that next week and hopefully also a promo video clip.
Part of the pleasure of coming to Risen!- The Musical will be to see the wonderful renovation work that has been done to the iconic Victorian Theatre that is the New Theatre Royal in which legends like Laurel and Hardy and Morecombe and Wise have performed. As the Theatre reopened last night after two years of extensive refurbishment I would like to pay tribute to all the team at the New Theatre Royal who have worked so hard and for so long to ensure that it, not only opened on time, but also looks absolutely fabulous. Those in the NTR team that I have been working particularly closely with are Caroline Sharman the CEO – Lexi Rich, the Programming Coordinator, Sheena Hulme, the Operations Director and Luc Batory, the Technical Manager.
These are really exciting times for Mustard Seed Songs but I do not want to forget some of the tragedy and sadness that is prevalent in so many parts of our world. The pictures on television of the plight of refugees, the civil war in Syria, the persecution of Christians in countries like Iran, Eritrea, Pakistan and Sudan are testimony that, for so many people, life is desperate. It is for this reason that the featured song this week is “Restore Us Lord God Almighty” – a lament with words taken from Psalms 80 and 88.

Some of the London Touring Cast – “Having a bit of fun with Ken after the Coventry Pentecost Festival”

A Worship Song featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Where would I Be Without You?”

Two  weeks ago I was telling you how we managed to obtain a professional cast for the production of Risen!- The Musical at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, November 6^th and7th.

So London College of Music (LCM) Lecturer, Niamh Mcguckin said yes to my request for her to direct a full stage production of Risen! rather than a concert for the forthcoming Coventry Pentecost Festival. Incidentally this was being organised by Hope of Coventry, with one my close friends Darren Bovis Coulter being an organiser – let me pause here to offer my congratulations to Darren for being appointed Pastor to the Limbrick Wood Baptist Church in Coventry.

Anyway Niamh then recruited a cast of 12 performers, either post graduates from LCM or students in their fourth and final year.  So I drove up to Ealing to meet them at a rehearsal in one of the LCM studios – I was greeted by Niamh and on the way to the studio could hear the cast singing “Jesus is My Lord” and it sounded awesome.  I was then introduced to Leah, Claire, Jodie, Mikey, Johnny, Andrew, Kieran, Jacob, Benny, Ennio and Adam.  Leah sang for me the opening to “Jesus is my Lord” then Claire “My Beloved King” and Jodie “I have seen Him” – I knew straight away that these guys were going to be something special!

They all rehearsed so hard and in just a few weeks were ready to perform at the Coventry Pentecost Festival. We are promoting Risen!- The Musical to be the stage premiere at the New Theatre Royal and it is exactly that, however that is not to undermine the importance of the  Coventry Pentecost production. There were no wings as the show took place in a large marquee and so all the cast were on stage throughout. They were fantastic and received a hugely deserved standing ovation. Both the cast and I learnt so much and the Coventry production was an essential part of the Risen! journey.

Following the show I spoke with Darren who offered some positive criticism and from that a new song was added to the second half, and some scenes and songs re scheduled.  Later Niamh suggested we make Risen!- The Musical a three Act rather than a two Act show and of course that makes really good sense with Act One -Crucifixion, Act Two – Resurrection and  Act Three – Ascension.

So all in all I am confident that we now have the definitive version of Risen!- The Musical to offer to you on November 6^th and 7^th – especially as we will also have the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir as part of the Show- but more of that next week.

JE and SUS from the album “Uplifted” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard with the Mustard Seed Soul Band

I have put part two of the  London Touring Cast story on hold for a week because we have an article in the Portsmouth News today written by Rev Steve Marsh, the Curate for  Holy Rood and St Edmund’s, Stubbington.  Here it is below:

I’m delighted to see that a Christian musical based on the story of Jesus’ Resurrection will be performed by a professional cast in Portsmouth next month.

Risen! – The Musical was first performed two years ago in our church, Holy Rood, where it had a fantastic reception. It used songs written by a member of our congregation, Ken Shearsmith.

Ken is quite unusual, in that he has no musical training at all, but relies on God to inspire him with melodies and lyrics. The songs he is inspired with are amazing.

The show has been completely revamped since we last saw it  and the new version will be premiered by a cast of 14 professionals who trained at the London College of Music. The show will also feature the award-winning Portsmouth University Gospel Choir.

The plot takes us through the last week of Jesus’s life, including the Last Supper, Jesus’s crucifixion and the reaction of his disciples, then his Resurrection and his appearances to those disciples. It shows us just how amazing it must have been for them to see their friend Jesus risen from the dead.

There was a studio produced double CD of Risen!- The Musical and the person who mastered the songs is a Lecturer at the London College of Music. He spoke to a colleague in the Performing Arts Department, Niamh Mcguckin, who became keen to become Director/Producer. Niamh recruited a cast of postgraduates with Degrees in Musical Theatre and plays the role of Mary Mother of Jesus herself.

It means the production will have a real West End feel. I’m looking forward to seeing what it looks like now – I’m sure it will be a very powerful production.

It will be one of the first productions in the recently-revamped New Theatre Royal, on Guildhall Walk. It will be staged at 7.30pm on November 6, and at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on November 7. It is fantastic that Risen!- The Musical  will be part of an iconic venue like the New Theatre Royal and I’m looking forward to seeing how that has changed too.

Tickets are priced at £16.50 and £14.50 (£10 for the matinee) and are available on 023-9264 9000.

RISEN! – THE MUSICAL
New Theatre Royal, Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth
November 6: 7.30pm
November 7: 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Tickets: £16.50/£14.50/£10 available on 023-9264 9000 or www.newtheatreroyal.com
Details: www.risenthemusical.com
Risen!- The Musical is produced by Mustard Seed Songs in association with Faith and Football

Joffy Girling and Andrew Bourbon mastering the “Risen!- The Musical” CD at the London College of Music.

“There’s More Than One Way of Saying I Love You” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard with the Mustard Seed Soul Band from the album “Uplifted” recorded and produced by Bob Ross

So how have we managed to get a professional cast to perform in Risen!- The Musica.l Friday November 6^th– Saturday November 7^th at the New Theatre Royal Portsmouth? Well quite simply God has opened the doors.

Joffy Girling, an ex- Crofton student has been working with me on Risen!-The Musical for four years- basically I sing the songs in my head to him and he transforms them into music. He is the perfect person to do this as he is a multi- instrumentalist with a  Ist Class Honours Degree in Sound Engineering and Production from the University of Birmingham.

When we were considering who to use to master the Risen! double CD Joffy thought of his ex-Lecturer from Birmingham, Dr Andrew Bourbon – who is  now a Senior Lecturer at the London College of Music (LCM) in Ealing – part of the University of West London.  Andrew agreed to meet Joffy thinking it was just a catch up with his old star pupil. However he agreed to take on the mastering project not really realising how long a job it would be- 38 tracks! It was during the mastering process that he began to love the music so much so that he talked about it to his friend who is the Head of Performing Arts at LCM. From this another Lecturer from the department, Niamh McGuckin became interested and I met with her during a mastering session at LCM.

I had a plan by which I was looking for students of Musical Theatre to learn the Risen! songs in order for them to perform Risen! in concert format at the forthcoming Coventry Pentecost Festival.  I also had in mind that the same group, having learnt the songs,  could then  be involved in a summer vacation workshop with a view to Risen!- becoming a stage production-  hopefully at the New Theatre Royal Portsmouth scheduled to re- open in the Autumn after two years of extensive refurbishment.  As my conversation unfolded with Niamh I could see that she was really interested -she had heard the music and gave me the impression she would like to take part in the production herself. In the end I bit the bullet and asked if there was any chance of making the proposed Coventry concert, not a concert but a full stage production – and even though there was little time left  to rehearse  the answer from Niamh was an emphatic “YES.”

And how the next episode unfolded I will share with you next week.

“Its From the Lord” featuring Jassica Castillo- Burley and the Mustard Seed Soul  Band from the album “Heart and Soul” recorded and produced by Ross Gill.

So it is Mustard Seed Song’s great privilege to be producing, Friday November 6^th – Saturday November 7^th Risen!- The Musical in Portsmouth’s  New Theatre Royal. Here is a brief history of this iconic Theatre which next year will have been in its present Guildhall Walk location for 150 years.

• 1761 The original Theatre Royal was built by John Arthur of the Bath Company and is mentioned in Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby, It was variously known as Portsmouth Theatre, Portsmouth and Portsea Theatre and finally as the Theatre Royal.

• 1856 The Theatre moved to its new site under the management of Henry Rutley, the was licensee of the White Swan who leased  Landport Hall next door converting  it  into a theatre.

• 1876 John Waters Boughton became Manager and owner of the Theatre.

• 1884 Broughton realised the converted hall would never become a major theatrical venue and so commissioned C.J. Phipps to design it. Ellen Terry, Sarah Bernhardt and Henry Irving were prominent performers at Phipps’ ‘new’ theatre.

• 1900 Boughton engaged the services of theatre architect Frank Matcham to redesign and enlarge the Theatre. Matcham also designed the Kings Theatre in Southsea and the London Palladium

• 1923 Herbert Ralph, acting manager of the Theatre Royal, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after it was found that he was responsible for a £360 shortage in the insurance money.

• 1932 it was decided to convert the New Theatre Royal into a cinema and it operated as such until 1948 when it reopened as a live venue. Performers over the next ten years included legendary acts such as Laurel and Hardy and Morecombe & Wise.

• 1950 Hughie Green presented Opportunity Knocks (the forerunner of XFactor).

• 1956 The Theatre closed but reopened a year later as a repertory theatre under Kim Peacock and Hector Ross. A number of well know performers performed including Sarah Churchill, Edward Woodward, Jill Gascoine and Dame Peggy Ashcroft who later became a patron of the Theatre.

• 1960 The Theatre became the Portsmouth Royal Arena; a wrestling and boxing venue that regularly presented the leading British wrestlers of the early 1960’s such as Giant Haystacks and Jackie Pallance. During these years, the theatre was also used for bingo.

• 1966 onwards the Theatre hung under the threat of demolition although it was here, in 1971, that Ken Russell filmed, The Boy Friend, starring Twiggy, Glenda Jackson, and Barbara Windsor.

• 1972 The theatre suffered huge damage, the result of fire and was then vandalized the following year

• 1975The Theatre Royal Society set up a Trust Company to protect the theatre and successfully opposed its   destruction at a Government enquiry.

• 1980 £1,000,000 was spent on repairs; the auditorium and foyer made structurally sound and the plaster work restored.
• 1984 Renovations to façade were completed and the café opened for the very first time and two years later the first live performance for twenty years was held at the Theatre; a jazz concert as part of the Portsmouth Festival.

• 2004The Theatre closed for 6 months for refurbishments to enabling an increase in audience size from 370 to 525. .

• 2015The Theatre is returned to its former glory with a brand new Full Fly tower built over a new 10 meters deep stage.  The auditorium is increased in size from 500 to 700 seats. The re-emergence is in partnership with the University of Portsmouth who are re-locating their Performing Arts Department to the site.

Mustard Seed Songs AND Faith and Football Present the Stage Premiere of Risen!- The Musical (The Story of the Resurrection)
At the New Theatre Royal, PortsmouthCelebrating its re-opening season after 2 years of extensive refurbishment
Featuring The London Touring Cast Together with the award winning Portsmouth University Gospel Choir
Friday November 6th at 7.30 pm
Saturday November 7th at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Tickets from £14.50 (£10.00 Matinee) available on- line from box- office www.newtheatreroyal.com and 02392 649000
“Risen! – The Musical – presents dramatically and powerfully the central story of the Christian faith. Having heard the songs I can’t wait to see the show.”
The Rt. Rev. Christopher Forster. Bishop of Portsmouth
“Moving, uplifting and inspiring “
The Rt. Rev. Peter Hancock. Bishop of Bath and Wells
“Wonderful songs and lyrics”
Senator Bill Hightower -Alabama State USA

Risen! featuring The Original Cast from the album Risen!- The Musical recorded and produced by Joffy Girling

So at long last I can announce that Risen!- The Musical will  be performed at the New Theatre Royal on Friday,  November 6^th at 7.30 pm and on Saturday,  November 7^th at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm.  The 150 year old iconic New Theatre Royal in Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth has been closed for two years for a £9.5 million refurbishment which includes an increased audience capacity from 300 to 700.  All the details are on the poster designed by Nikki and Darren Bovis- Coulter -www.2fishproductions.com  Would be great if you could put the date in your diary and then book on line – it’s going to be great!

I am no longer a fan of X Factor but this got me going!

So for the past few weeks I have been looking at reasons why I believe that Jesus really was raised from the dead, e.g. why were the disciples prepared to suffer horrific deaths rather than deny Him if they had not been totally convinced  that Jesus had risen from the dead?  – The evidence argued for the Resurrection in books such as “The Cast for Christ” is, for me,  stronger than that argued against, as in books such as “Challenging the Verdict.” – I feel more inclined to trust the opinions of people such as Justin Welby and Lee Strobel rather than those of people such as Richard Dawkins and Earl Doherty.

Ultimately, however I believe in the Resurrection because, as St Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15: 14 “If Christ is not raised then our preaching is futile and so is your faith.” In other words the Resurrection is the basis of Christian hope- without it there would be no Christian faith.  And as my Christian faith is the cornerstone of my life even if an atheist was able to present me with a stack of evidence disproving the Resurrection I would still believe.  Now that may seem pure obstinacy but one must remember that  since becoming a  Christian my life  has been so much more joyful and worthwhile.

Last week I spoke of  no longer needing to fear death as I have been promised eternal life, not because of anything I have done to deserve it,  but because it has been offered to me as free gift by Jesus.  I went on to say that I realise atheists can also say that they do not fear death because they believe when you are dead you are dead and will cease to exist – but what if they are wrong? If I am wrong and there is no eternal life then I have lost nothing- certainly not the opportunity for having more fun in this life  – but if there is an after- life then what would the non- believer lose ? I would suggest a great deal indeed!

But there is another huge reason why I would continue to believe in the Resurrection, irrespective of any evidence that may come about to the contrary and that is because “Christianity works.”  Prayers are answered, visions and dreams are realised, comfort and strength are  available during times of trouble and there is Someone to praise and thank during times of blessing.

I have had lots of personal experiences since becoming a Christian which have strengthened my faith; one large one being the music I have been inspired to write.  Through Mustard Seed Songs I have had 11 CDs distributed  world- wide  and His Story, our  previous musical, has been performed at venues such the Kings Theatre and Central Hall Westminster.  So where did all that come from for a PE teacher (albeit a fairly good one ha ha!) who can’t sing a note (ask Caroline my wife) or play a musical instrument? How can I or anyone else explain that away – a natural talent, I very much doubt it?  I had wanted to be the next Burt Bacharach or Paul McCartney but nothing happened – but when I offered the songs to God to use and I promised Him I would never take money for them – well that’s when it took off and now in November we have three performances of Risen! The Musical  -but  more of that next week!

“Living it Up” featuring the Mustard Seed Soul Band from the album “Heart and Soul” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

Last week I promised to share some personal experiences that have convinced me that Jesus really was raised from the dead, however I trust you will forgive me if I put that on hold for one more week as there is another point relating to this topic that I wish to first highlight.

If you read my early blogs you would know that I had a fear of death and that since becoming a Christian I no longer need to have that fear as I have been promised eternal life – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  As a Christian I have a faith that there is a God and atheists, have a faith that there is not.  Since becoming a follower of Jesus I have wanted to share my faith with others because I have wanted others to experience life and life to the full *(John 10:10) however until reading some atheist material from my atheist friend, Alan I had no idea that some atheists also wish to share their faith.

As Christian I have no fear of hell because I have the promise of Heaven, but an atheist would, no doubt,  say that he/she is  free from the fear of hell simply because he/she  does not believe that such a place exists.  An atheist would probably go on to say that he/she has freedom from the rules and regulations which he/she  perceives Christianity imposes. One of the websites to which Alan directed me is ironically titled “The Church of Truth” with a strap line “Free persons of all faiths from the tyranny of their religion.” In response I would say that I spent most of my life being a non- believer (I would not go as far as to say I was an atheist) and for the last eighteen years I have been a Christian- so I have experience of both “faiths” and have no doubt which one has given me the more freedom

There are countless testimonies of lives being dramatically changed when converting to Christianity for example www.independent.co.uk › News › UK but can the same be said of those who convert from Christianity to atheism? Notwithstanding the point made in the previous paragraph about atheists feeling free from the fear of hell and religious rules and regulations how many testimonies are there of lives that have been changed by conversion to atheism? I am reminded of a story recounted in the book “It Makes Sense.” Apparently Charles Bradlaugh, an outstanding intellectual of his day challenged a local preacher to a debate on Christianity and atheism.  The Minister, Hugh Price Hughes agreed on the condition that Bradlaugh brought with him 100 people whose lives had been changed by a commitment to atheism and if he did Hughes would bring 100 whose lives had been changed by knowing God. Hughes then reduced the number Bradlaugh needed to bring to fifty then twenty, then ten and finally one. Bradlaugh had to withdraw from the debate when he could not even manage one.

So next week some of my own personal experiences unless something even more important turns up !