FLICKY HARRISON meets a woman who really is in her element

Jill Hodge is one of the leading lights on the Swindon music scene, but her demure demeanor belies a wicked sense of humour.

The former music teacher directs Ten In A Bar, a close harmony group she founded in 1992. Each spring the singers present their annual show at the Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road in Old Town.

There is always a twist to these musical thunderstorms where Jill allows her zany side to explode in her 'infamous' comedy sketches.

This year is no different and the latest offering from Ten In A Bar, entitled In Their Element, runs from Wednesday, February 15 to Saturday, February 18 from 7.30pm.

Jill said: "Peter Kent is renowned for coming up with brilliant titles for us. On the night we were discussing this show, Peter was absent and Paul Skidmore was sitting in his place. Lo and Behold! Paul came up with this title – first time ever – we are convinced it is because he sat in Pete’s seat!''

Peter was a founder member of the group Panache that appeared on BBC1's Opportunity Knocks at the Savoy Hotel in London.

The group began with eight singers, a director and an accompanist which is how they got the name Ten In A Bar, but today they number 16 in total ranging in age from 17 years.

The cast of 2017 is Sue Hills, Alison Canning, Tracy Cuthbert, Liz Hancock, Jane Kingstone, Helen Asprey, Carol Jeffcut, Steve Brain, Paul Skidmore, Martin Read, Peter Kent, Kevin O’Grady.

Jill takes the director's chair and the band accompanying the singers: are Kirstie Smith on piano, Andy Griffiths on drums and James Agg on bass. When it comes to creating the shows everyone chips in their strengths.

Jill said: "A beautiful new arrangement of Rufus Wainwright’s Sonnet 20 by Shakespeare for five part men is simply stunning! It is arranged by our resident pianist Kirstie Smith.''

Jill has a BA honours degree in Music, and while she was teaching at two Swindon secondary schools, she formed The Ridgeway School Choir and the Swindon Songsters, who achieved acclaim for their high standard of singing both locally and nationally.

Another well known Swindon vocalist, who is in his element singing with Ten In A Bar, is Martin Reid. Martin has shouldered such principal roles as Will Parker in Oklahoma, Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof and Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady with SALOS, and has added his vocal input to Swindon Opera and The M4 Theatre Company. Martin was born in the town and began as a dancer with the Judith Hockaday School of Dance and Drama, competing in the All England Finals at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. He is an all-round entertainer as he also studied the piano and clarinet.

Martin said: "We are back this spring with a new line-up of songs, including Peter Gabriel, Bacharach, Morten Lauridsen, Pentatonix and Carly Simon.''  - Flicky Harrison

  • Tickets to see the singers In Their Element are £12.50 from 01793 881798 or £13 from the Wyvern Theatre box office. For more details or to book visit www.teninabar.com