Glamorous Night

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Age UK Islington is delighted to be hosting a concert from The Connaught Opera, “Glamorous Night” on Friday 10^th March at the newly refurbished Jean Stokes Community Centre off Caledonian Road.  

Connaught Opera’s Maria Arakie will be singing a fun medley of songs portraying strong glamorous characters through the ages. In Connaught Opera, she is supported by partner, Glenn Wilson and pianist Nick Bosworth.  

How does the “Glamorous Night” theme fit with International Women’s Day?  

There are many famous characters in films and in the public eye who effectively display being intelligent, independent and glamorous women. In the past hundred years, there has been a change in the way that glamorous women are perceived. Strength can go hand-in-hand with being glamorous.   

Maria Arakie comments, “we were inspired by the fabulous glamour of composers such as Noel Coward, Ivor Novello (author of Glamorous Night - first a musical and then a film), Offenbach (who wrote for sexy and saucy women in his very French and frolicsome operettas).There are plenty of examples of women who are both strong and glamorous and we’ll be featuring some of these characters in our concert.    

“In the 1940s and 1950s, movies like "My Fair Lady" and "Kiss Me Kate" portray women as determined, independent characters who can “hold their own”.   

“We’ll be singing songs from the musical film "My Fair Lady". In the film, the lead character, Eliza Doolittle, proves to be intelligent and resourceful with a mind of her own. We’ll also be performing music from the 1958 film "South Pacific”.  In this, Nellie Forbush, one of the lead female characters is determined to fight against social norms and discrimination. At the same time, both have fabulously glamorous attire!  

“I am a huge fan of women who successfully combine wearing beautiful, extravagant dresses with bold personalities, which we’ll showcase during our performance. Prepare yourself for lots of costume changes, fun and a portrayal of what women can achieve, often against the odds, during the show.”  

The Connaught Opera is a local music charity performing for older people in London. Their musical performance will conclude with a sing-a-long!  

How to book your free place

“Glamorous Night” concert will be taking place on Friday, 10 March at 2pm in the Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Drive, N1. There are free places, thanks to funding from the Cripplegate Foundation. To book your place, call Age UK Islington at 020 7281 6018 or by email: activities@ageukislington.org.uk.