Christmas with The Newtones
by Susan Stein

It was for the first time, that I was not able to attend the annual Christmas Concert presented by The Newtones.

But my friends who did, gave this glowing report about an evening of song and music, of skits and most of all full of laughter.

To the audience the skit "The Musical Ride", a spoof on the famous RCMP Musical Ride, (acted out on hobby horses by Lynn Routlidge, Lynn Kanyo, Johnathan Goodwin and Bill Bishop) was one of the highlights in doling out laughter as the best medicine. Trudie Kennedy and Colin Worley did their best with their skit "Elderly Couple" to add to that medicine.

The Newtones opened the concert with three new songs in their repertoire: Yo Vivo Cantando, Winter has Begun and Give me the Simple Life. Kudos must be given to music director Janice Magloughlen for her talent and patience to bring out the best in this choral group. Irish Eyes are Smiling, Dreams of Winter, Winter Fantasy, Song for Peace, Christmas is a Feeling, Born to Shop, renditions by the Ladies' chorus, received the well deserved applause. Solos by Johnathan Goodwin, duet by Ward Parsons and Jan Magloughlen were highlights, as was the musical interlude, given by Mike Lewis and on drums, Tim Shelswell.

The concert concluded with The Newtones singing The Blackbird, Save the Dance and the theme song "It's Christmas" and with the audience joining God Save the Queen.

No Newtones concert would be perfect without Lloyd West as M.C. And he lived up to his reputation as M.C. extraordinaire.

This concert was dedicated to the memory of Tony Reid, who was a member of The Newtones for many years.