PRESS RELEASE
TRIO OF GPS APPEAR AT CROWN COURT …. AND HELP RAISE £1800 FOR MERLIN
March 20, 2014
A trio of Cornish GPs swapped their stethoscopes for microphones to deliver theirunique genre of music, singing and comedy in the unusual setting of Truro Crown Court last Friday (March 14) helping to raise £1800 for the Merlin MS Centre.
Medical Maelstrom (Drs Michele Sharkey, Sam Freegard and Anthony Seddon) have been making audiences ill with laughter and unselfishly risked erasure from the medical register by dispensing their unique tincture of song and laughter throughout Cornwall and Devon, raising close on £100,000 for local charities.
The eveningwas hosted by His Hon Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, who opened the doors of the wonderful atrium of Cornwall’s only Crown Court.
Sarah Snell, Head of Fundraising for the Charity said: “Medical Maelstrom were brilliant -the audience were enraptured by their musical and vocal talents, impressed by the mastery of language and thoroughly entertained by their humour. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and in the unusual setting of Truro Crown Court, this was a great evening out. Thank you to Medical Maelstrom and Judge Christopher for their support and enabling us to raise over £1800 to support our work here at the Merlin MS Centre.
The Merlin MS Centre, an independent Cornish charity for people whose lives are affected by Multiple Sclerosis, a progressive neurological condition for which there is no cure. Cornwall has the highest rate of MS in mainland Britain, with more than 1000 people diagnosed in the county. The centre provides expert therapies, support and advice for MS clients and those with other neurological conditions to help them better manage their symptoms, improving health and well-being, as well as giving support to family members and loved ones.
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For Press Enquiries call Sarah Snell 01726 885530
About Medical Maelstron:
Michele Sharkey was born in Lanarkshire and began vocal training after completing her medical studies at the University of Glasgow. Her main interest is opera, and major roles range from the consumptive Mimi (La Bohème) to the dagger wielding Queen of the Night (Magic Flute) with Angelica (Suor Angelica), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Frasquita (Carmen), Olympia (Tales of Hoffman), Anna (Merry Widow), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) and Adele (Die Fledermaus) in between. Her favourite gigs however are with Maelstrom, despite the massive strain of keeping the rampant egos of the chaps under control……... ! Michele is a GP in St Ives.
Sam Freegard’s enjoyment of being silly on stage developed whilst studying medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. After moving to Cornwall in 1982, he acted for many years with the West Cornwall Theatre Group at the Minack theatre, including the title role in Macbeth, Leontes in The Winter’s Tale, Touchstone in As You Like It, Randle P McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Sam sincerely hopes that his presence here tonight with Michele and Anthony does not spoil what might otherwise have been high class entertainment….. Sam is a GP who works in St Ives.
Anthony Seddon was a chorister at King’s College, Cambridge. He then obtained a music scholarship to Clifton College, Bristol and from there was awarded a choral scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford where he studied medicine. He has been musical director for Duchy Opera’s productions of Café Puccini and La Cenerentola, and has accompanied many singers in recital including, of course, Michele. As an accompanist he has played at venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, the Savoy Hotel, Queensgate Terrace, London and the Crush Room at Covent Garden, and he has recently ventured into performing with a classical trio on board Saga cruises - all plain sailing compared to a busy Monday on-call at the Penryn surgery!