The Welsh Proms have in recent years branched away from the Classics for some of its concerts and the large audience at St. David’s Hall on Wednesday evening clearly approved.

Two of the West End’s most experienced performers of recent years – Caroline Sheen and David Shannon- having between them a string of major roles, were supported throughout by the superb WNO Orchestra conducted by David Charles Abell. Both soloists took a while to settle . This may well have been accounted for by some major deficiencies in the sound which was as bad as I have heard in this hall. Audability and balance were affected, particularly in the case of the very light voice and sometimes subdued delivery of Mr. Shannon. The highlights of the first half were a show stopping Maybe this time ( Cabaret) from the glamorous Caroline Sheen ( though she had to battle to be heard at the climax) who characterised the range of songs beautifully throughout ,and David Shannon’s hushed Bring him home (Les Misérables) where he was aided by the pared down orchestration. Fortunately adjustments were made in the interval and the second half was a far more enjoyable affair with memorable performances of Somewhere (West Side Story), Blow Gabriel Blow (Anything Goes) and The Music of the night (The Phantom of the Opera).

The evening ended in high spirits with plenty of audience participation in a medley from Grease.