Stalker herself is now preparing to host this Anzac Day, April 25, a tribute concert to celebrate the hits sung by this legendary Englishwoman — who died in 2020, aged 103 — that cheered up the Allied forces during World War 2.
Songs such as We’ll Meet Again and (There’ll be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover.
Stalker says it’ll be a tribute ‘‘to all the beautiful heroes’’ who went to war, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice.
For her, this Vera Lynn concert will also mark a special birthday milestone, while her first husband, Clive, also died on Anzac Day.
She’s commissioned local songbird and musical impresario Margaret O’Hanlon to play the part of Vera Lynn — they’re a great likeness, she suggests — while local music school director Emma Wilson’s assembling what she calls ‘‘a great gathering of some of Queenstown’s best musicians’’, including 14 members of the Queenstown Party Orchestra and a couple of extras.
Backing singers will include entertainer Simon Green.
‘‘We want everyone to sing [there’ll be song sheets], dance, wave flags, really have a party and dress up,’’ Wilson says.
‘‘It’s just magical, it’s not something Queenstown’s ever seen the like of before.’’
The venue, Sharyn and Grant Stalker’s Springpointer Garden, at 70 Lower Shotover Rd, already hosts the annual Remarkables Picnic Opera — the next one’s next Sunday, February 8.
The Anzac Day concert, starting 2pm, will also include Vera Lynn favourites such as her versions of The Andrew Sisters’ Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and of George Formby Jr’s Bless ’Em All.
‘‘If it’s a beautiful day, people can just stay and picnic,’’ Sharyn says.
Tickets will be $35 via Humanitix.
Philip Chandler
