Proms In the Park (Salford)

At: Buile Hill Park
Where: Salford

There’s nothing more rousing than The Proms to get people together, and these in the park concerts mean that local people can wave their flags under the stars but feel as if they are part of the main programme – via the video links.

On Saturday Salfordians packed into Buile Hill Park and they were treated to a variety of music, including classical film scores such as ET and The Great Escape. They were also treated to opera, courtesy of the very talented Juliette Pochin who wowed the crowds with her poignant vocals.

There were also camp moments which went down very well, such as a Judy Garland medley by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and a Sound Of Music Sing-A-Long. The big draw of the night though was John Barrowman and he admitted that you could not get camper, but he also subverts the stereotype by delivering the moving ballad “I Won’t Send Roses” from the hit musical Mack and Mabel with real urgency and it causes many to have a lump in their throats.

The Torchwood star impresses allcomers with his mixture of show tunes and Proms classics. But his winning smile and addictive personality also play their part. I took 9 year-old Sol White Wood from Glasgow and he loved Barrowman’s set as the star’s fun loving persona is infectious.

The evening ends with an amazing fireworks display and stirring versions of “Jerusalem”, “Rule Britannia” and “Pomp and Circumstance No 1” and leave the audience with an evening to savour until next year.