So how was the Bugs Bunny on Broadway experience? I went twice. Friday and Saturday night.
So, getting over the excitement of the rehearsal and actually being in the National Concert Hall, seeing the cartoons on the big screen and the reaction of the audience, did it live up to my expectations?
Did it ever!
From the moment the RTÉ National Concert Orchestra went from Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” into the overture of the Merrie Melodies theme tune, the audience, primarily the classical music fans who had brought their children on the Friday night, sat up, paid attention and readied themselves for some fun. The orchestra played along to many of the cartoons, taking a rest while we were treated to some other classics - sometimes fillers, sometimes funny.
The whole idea of the screen worked well and the orchestra never missed a beat. Sometimes it was difficult to remember that they were there at all, and you had to drag your eyes from the animation down to the orchestra, reminding yourself that all of the sound was coming from there.
This is of course how they are meant to be seen - in a group, as a spectacle with the opportunity to laugh, cheer and clap along. Ordinarily played before the main feature, they were drawn and created to put a smile on people’s faces, to get them ready for the films ahead.
It was easy to see that most of the children - on both Friday and Saturday - had never seen the cartoons before, but loved Road Runner, laughed to Bugs and Elmer and, though quite high brow satire, could enjoy cartoons like “The Rabbit of Seville” and “What’s Opera Doc?”, despite possibly never hearing the original pieces of music on which they were based.
The presentation to the National Concert Orchestra of the painting of Bugs the conductor was well received, with the passion and enthusiasm of George Daugherty for the cartoons and his respect for the men whose great work had inspired - and co-created these concerts - and the genuine warmth and affection that Craig Kausen had for his grandfather Chuck quite evident. There were many cheers and much applause both for them and for the Orchestra.
Overall, as much as I had fun on the Friday night, where it fulfilled and exceeded my expectations, I enjoyed the Saturday night more for a simple reason - the audience. I would imagine that most of the people on the Saturday night were the cartoon enthusiasts, those who were bringing their children to enjoy the cartoons and to relive the experience that they had, rather than those educating their children in classical music as Friday night’s seemed to be. I’m told the Saturday Matinee was a lot of fun, given the young age of the audience.
I’m very glad there was none of the “behave, we’re in the Concert Hall, listening to Music” apparent on either night. Children of all ages were free to laugh, clap, cheer and enjoy. This they did. The standing ovation at the end of Saturday night’s concert was prolonged and well deserved.
It was a great show. I really look forward to the next one. A big thanks (again) to Angela and Pauline from RTÉ and to the National Concert Hall for all their help and to Niamh for shooting and editing the video above.
I’ll leave you with a particular favourite - 1960′s High Note. A mervellous mix of animation and great music. Brought back memories and made me smile.
