Audience Moved By Battlefield Story

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday January 15, 2008

Business Editor GREG ELLIS

JUST prior to Christmas my family attended Carols in the City co-ordinated with the help of the Waples team, who have recently added event management to their stable.

I was not only amazed at how big the stage, set and production at WIN Entertainment Centre was but, like everyone else in the audience, was deeply moved by a segment produced by WEC general manager Stuart Barnes.

Stuart wonderfully re-created an amazing moment from history by combining a video re-enactment with a live choir to show how troops from opposing sides in World War I climbed out of their trenches in France to sing Silent Night together on the battlefield.

They had all been moved to action by a brave German soldier whose lone voice cut the night air as he stood up alone and sang the traditional carol in his native tongue.

Shivers shot up the spine of those at the WEC as the two halves of the people's choir simultaneously sang in English and German.

Congratulations Stuart, on producing something so very special from a wonderful moment in time and it reminded us there is always hope, even in the most dire situations. It helped people really appreciate Christmas, friends and family at this reflective time of year.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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