A THRILLING evening of top class music and spectacular fireworks is being planned in Chagford this summer, in a gala event aiming to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
Star performers from London?s West End will gather at Puggiestone in Chagford to perform songs from the world?s most popular musicals, including Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Cats, Buddy, Mama Mia! and many more.
The musical, called Some Enchanted Evening, was originally commissioned by the National Trust and has played to more than 50,000 people at national and international outdoor concerts, to rave reviews.
It is being produced by Music Associates, a company which has put on shows all over the world and has worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber and his Really Useful Company.
Sonia Meaden, owner of Puggiestone, said: ?There are 13 performers, musicians and singers, who have all appeared in major roles in the West End.
?From my point of view, logistically it?s wonderful, because they bring the whole thing, stage, lighting, sound engineers ? everything.?
Stars appearing in the show include David Bardsley, who was in Buddy and Les Miserables in the West End, Sarah Ryan, who played Christine in Phantom of the Opera in the West End and Nicky Adams, who has also appeared in Phantom, Les Miserables and has worked with Cameron Macintosh.
Sonia said she and her husband Brian used the Puggiestone grounds to host a successful garden opera in 1997, which raised more than £25,000 for charity.
?It was so successful last time I was asked to do one the following year ? but it?s taken me five years to get the courage to do it again!? said Sonia.
She said the grounds of Puggiestone are ideal for hosting a big outside event.
?The garden slopes down to the River Teign so we have a natural kind of arena where people can sit, have their picnics and watch the show,? said Sonia, who is keeping her fingers crossed for good weather.
She said the show itself has a covered dome which means it has never had to cancel an outside performance due to rain ? and she hoped the audience would enjoy the night, whatever the weather.
The fundraising target for Some Enchanted Evening is £30,000, to be divided between the Exeter branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Children?s Hospice South West and Chagford Recreational Trust Youth Development Fund.
This charity provides funding to coach local children to improve their skills in sports and educational activities which fall outside the normal school curriculum, thus improving their quality of life and expanding their horizons.
There are 650 tickets available for Some Enchanted Evening with a grand firework display to follow, to be held at Puggiestone on Saturday June 28.
The gates open at 6.30pm for picnics, with the show starting at 8pm.
Sonia advised people to book early to avoid disappointment.
For tickets, call 01392 447411 or 01392 432322. Anyone wishing to sponsor the event can e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]