16th November 2007
The Big Welsh Challenge learners have finally completed their first challenge - performing Sosban Fach in front of an audience. The production team had spent months trying to find the right venue - and Children in Need provided the perfect occasion.
Performing Sosban Fach at Children in Need
The learners had all met their mentors earlier this year to practise the song, but there was a surprise in store for them when they arrived at the 大象传媒 for a last minute rehearsal together: It was revealed they would be performing to an up-tempo party mix by DJ SG, alias Simon Gardner, who was on hand to help them.
"When I was approached to do this, I thought it would be cool and very different, although I wasn't sure what to expect," said Simon.
After some painful run-throughs where Rhod mocked the singing voices of his fellow learners and the celebrities struggled to get used to the new arrangement, it was time to go on stage. In front of hundreds of people in studio and hundreds of thousands more TV viewers the learners performed the song, each singing a solo part, as the audience clapped in time. As they left the stage to loud applause, there was obvious relief.
"I'm so glad it's over," said Lowri. "I'd written the words on the back of my hand but Rhod spotted my ruse!"
"The biggest challenge for me," said Di, "was the new arrangement of the song."
Rhod and Cerys practise on the streets of Cardiff
Rhod and his mentor Cerys had failed to collect any money when they went busking to practise Sosban Fach in Cardiff earlier this year. Cerys broke the news to him that he would be performing the song on the Children in Need stage in a surprise phone call to his Saturday morning Radio Wales show.
Rhod presenting
But when it came to the on-stage performance at Children in Need, there was praise all round for the learners. For Simon Gardner, who conducted them through it, it was an all round success. "They were fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Much better than I'd expected. I thought I'd have to work with them for hours and hours but they had it spot on from the start. It should be released as a charity single!" he added
