"Showboat " in .... Eskilstuna ? WOOOOOW !!

My recent visit to Stockholm was originally planned around going to Eskilstuna and breathing with the South African ensemble singers from Cape Town, of the "Showboat" cast, then seeing a performance, all set up by Ulrika Tenstam and Margaret Brilioth, the producer, both 'breathing chums' of mine. Strangely, things were frought with disconnection from the moment I arrived in the country - lines of communication had broken down all round, so I found myself staying, and breathing, at the house of friends out in Nasby Park, a very desirable residential area with vast villas - and I was able to hide away in their music room, almost unnoticed by members of the household. One of the fun elements of being there was playing ping-pong (table tennis) with two delightful nine year old boys, Adrian and Frederik - and golly, are they fast!! They were very kind to me to begin with -(we worked out that there were 66 years difference in our years!) - until they discovered my competetive streak - and then it was fantastic!! Considering I hadn't played the game for about half a century, my muscle memory was better than the conscious one, but of course, eventually the boys made mincemeat of me , and it was such fun, we laughed so much our sides nearly split - I can thoroughly recommend the game for anyone who wishes to keep fit and improve their breathing ...When I eventually made the pilgrimage to Eskilstuna I was greeted by the singers - all wide awake and eager to learn - they joined in the little breathing exercises with relish, and then came the amazing session, one to one, with some of the most charming and joyful souls I've ever met, it was almost a spiritual experience. Initially they started to 'sing' in the restrained European manner - what I call 'singing at you', not 'for you'. Then I invited them to sing me one of their folk songs - and that's when we really began to make progress. They sang and moved with rhythms that were so different from anything I'd heard before - it was riveting and truly breathtaking - I learned so much from this generous, happy group, and as we worked individually again - throats opened , lungs expanded, diaphragms fluctuated into the most ravishingly beautiful and impressive sounds - from some of the most unlikely singers - they all have fabulous voices and a passion for music. It was one of the most wonderful experiences in my 'breathing career'. In the performance there was such a great atmosphere of commitment and the desire to entertain the audience from everyone - and they did it magnificently..It is one of the finest performances I have ever been privileged to witness....good luck to everyone involved, everything was as it should be for maximum success....Congratulations to all concerned . Ulrika gave another of her brilliant portrayals as 'Julie', and her second number - 'He's just my Bill' didn't leave a dry eye in the house, especially mine - such incredible dynamics and nuances....and her 'timing'... absolutely fabulous; it will stay in my memory as one of the highlights by one of my most distinguished 'breathers'. So yo' all ...keep breathing....and to all my dedicated entertainers, keep charming the customers ....they are our future....