Europe's New Life Show

On September 12th, nine people from seven European nations gathered together in ‘Glory House’ at Bergenanzee, North Holland in order to create the New Life Show. On September 25th they gave their first public performance in Tunbridge Wells in the South of England. The whole tour was sponsored by The Federation for World Peace and Unification.

It is a truly wonderful and exhilarating experience to be able to unite with people from so many different backgrounds, national and cultural, to produce a show of music, song and dance with such a high purpose. There are of course language and other problems arising from different backgrounds, but with a positive and loving spirit we can overcome all difficulties. Our differences then enable us to become broader people as we learn from each other.

Much entertainment today tends to be brash, violent and permissive, relying on sensation for its impact. We want to present entertainment that will inspire and uplift people and give them a new vision of life. This desire to love and serve creates a strong sense of unity that is absent from the conventional show business world.

With this feeling we were able to create the show in a very short time with all the excitement and inspiration that nine people from seven nations could muster. We see the show developing as we come to know each other better and share experiences together. The most important thing is that it projects the spirit of God.

The initial concerts in England were very well received and encouraging but it was only when we got to Wales that we really found our feet. The second show in Cardiff brought so many people who were enthusiastic about our work. The show in the little mining town of Bargoed was a tremendous success — a real family evening, with little children running around and old people sitting with tears in their eyes. At the end of each performance refreshments were served to the audience and we were able to talk to people.

Many showed a great interest in the work of the Federation and signed up for Bible study groups that

were organized. The real satisfaction for us was not only that people enjoyed the show, but that they were stimulated to action.

From Swansea we went by boat to Ireland and Kilmurry House, the national center of the Federation in Cork. We worked with the Irish Federation members meeting people on the street, in offices, and in their homes, talking to them telling them of the show and of our work. In this way we met Irish people in a way that the ordinary visitor never would. We met people living in a poverty that we had never seen before, and it gave us a deeper feeling of our responsibility to bring “New Life.”

For our Irish tour we were joined by Doris Orme and Barbara Burrowes, whose superb performances gave new power and spirit to the show. In Cork, as part of the song “I Got Shoes,” Doris Orme asked the audience what they wanted to take to heaven. They opened their hearts and said Irish songs, their wives and bicycles.

Each evening brought more people and a greater rapport between us all. Mr. Kieran O’Neil, the director of the Federation in Ireland, gave a short speech at each show and moved all hearts with an appeal for a return to the honest ideals of Christianity to solve the problems of that troubled country. We did an extra show in the hall of Kilmurry House for about eighty local people, and the next day headed for Dublin. We had three shows in the Mansion House in the heart of the city, and two more in Dunlaoghaire Town Hall. Again we had an overwhelming response: people came on stage and sang with us, some even came early in the afternoon having seen the show the day before, and asked if they could do anything to help us! In the audiences we found so many young people who had no interest in the traditional concepts of religion but who were now swept to their feet as they felt the spirit of God.

The first night some nuns came, to return the next night with all the sisters. Young and old, believers and self-styled atheists were joined in the wonderful feeling of being alive. We left Ireland happy knowing that many people were seriously considering using their lives in the service of others.

Back in England we gave a show at Cleeve House, near Devizes. This was arranged at wry short no rice but we were asked to come again, next time with plenty of warning, so that everyone could come. We next drove to London: By this time we were becoming accustomed to travelling at all hours of the day and night. Here we laid a tremendous show at the Chelsea Town Hall.

The Scottish audiences were harder to capture but once their hearts were won there was no stopping them, and the last show in the old Corn Exchange in the center of Dunbar in East Lothian was a wonderful end to our British tour.

On the basis of our experience we were confident of success in Europe, and although we were sad to leave, we were also eager to meet new people and serve other nations.

New Life Show Itinerary:

Sept. 20 — British Isles; Nov. 4 — Holland; Dec. 7 — Belgium; Dec. 8 — Denmark; Dec. 15 — Norway; Jan. 5 — Sweden; Jan. 26 — Denmark; Feb. 9 — Belgium; Mar. 9 — Luxembourg; Mar. 16 — Spain; April 13 — Portugal; April 27 — Italy; June 8 — Switzerland

The Cast: Seated (left to right): Elfrid, Isolde, Erica, Henry Sylvain. Standing (left to right): Anna, Hans Campman, Caitrione O’Higgins, Christopher Davies, Sebastian Badosa

Elfrid comes from a musical family in Oslo, Norway, and has been singing and acting since childhood. Having always felt great concern for the suffering in the world, she began studying medicine, but now finds another way to help the world.

Isolde from Austria has dreamt of becoming a singer since she was very young and has sung in several choirs. Now studying music at the university, she feels a great love for God and all mankind.

Erica from Wales has been a gifted singer since she was very young, singing her first solo when three years old. Singing has always been her life. She feels music is a way to reach and touch all people, no matter from what background, and unite their hearts.

Henri Sylvain from Holland is the Musical Director of the New Life Show. From a talented background he developed his abilities and became well known for his leading roles in light opera and radio broadcasts. He is also a talented and exuberant conductor. People can communicate through music, and his greatest wish is that this show will help to bring peace and unity to people wherever it goes.

Anna came from a mountain village in northern Italy. Throughout nineteen years she has felt the joy of expressing in singing, dancing, and painting her love for Godard nature. She gives her joy to the people of the world, working for a world of love without frontiers.

Hans Campman from Holland plays the piano for the show. He has played many different kinds of music and also composes. In playing and composing music to bring joy and beauty to people and God, he has found a deeper and more sincere way to use his abilities.

Caitrione O’Higgins has been singing and dancing her way through life. A native of Ireland, she has studied and taught music. She plays the Irish harp, as it is the perfect accompaniment for the songs she loves most, those that express man’s deepest emotions.

Christopher Davies from England has had a varied musical career, beginning in Cardiff, Wales, and leading him over much of Europe singing and recording. He has been inspired to create his own music and poetry drawn from folk tradition and human experience, expressing God’s heart and the relationship between God and man.

Sebastian Badosa from Spain has led a colorful and anti-conformist way of life, searching for an understanding of true values. His experiences have led him to realize that change must begin with the individual. His music is a reflection of himself and the spirit of the new life he has gained, which he hopes to communicate in the show.