FRIENDS will come together tomorrow for a concert in memory of a much-loved member of Southend Operatic and Dramatic Society.

The society tragically lost their vice-chairman, Karl Vandenburgh, who died on the opening night of their most recent show, Beauty and the Beast, which nonetheless went on to receive numerous accolades.

Tomorrow will see members singing a mixture of show songs and Christmas numbers at the fundraiser.

They’ll be joined by popular local singers the Two Elizabeths, sopranos Elizabeth Dunlop and Elizabeth Usher, who will be lending their talents to the event.

Karl died following a short battle with an aggressive form of stomach cancer, aged just 30.

The concert was originally a fundraiser, so he could do some of the things on the wish list he’d drawn up. Passionate about musical theatre, he’d hoped to see some London shows, but sadly wasn’t able to.

Serena Dunlop, 19, of Marine Avenue, Westcliff, who is organising the concert, says: “He had a list of things he wanted to do like see shows and maybe go away on holiday.

“Now the money will go to Cancer Research and towards buying a seat in the Cliffs in memory of him.”

Karl, whose tenor voice was heard in many of the society’s shows, was originally planning to sing in the production, or at least attend, but his friends will now sing in tribute to him.

Serena says: “The first half is popular arias, operas and show songs, and songs that Karl liked. There are a couple of songs from the Disney film Tangled, because he really liked that film.

“I’m going to be singing I Know Things Now from Into the Woods, which he asked me to sing, and there’s also a song from Assassins he asked for.

“There are well-known songs in the first half as well as songs the audience might not know but will love. They’re probably the ones Karl asked for from lesser-known musicals.

“The second half is full of Christmas songs such as Winter Wonderland, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Oh Holy Night.

Serena met Karl two years ago when she worked on her first show with the society, My Fair Lady.

As the star of Beauty and the Beast, playing the feisty heroine Belle, she’d been due play against him again as the stooge Lefou. Karl was forced to pull out of the show after his diagnosis.

Serena says: “The society was his life. He was so passionate and really wanted the best for the society. He wanted to get good shows that were fun to do and the audience would enjoy.

“With me, he was always a good laugh. He always used to tease me, but he was really good fun. He had a sarcastic sense of humour, but people really liked him.”

Serena admits it would have been a tough challenge to organise the concert if she’d known he wasn’t going to be alive to see it.

She says: “The concert will be a chance to be positive and celebrate his life. It’s a chance to be cheerful and think he really would have enjoyed this concert.’”

As well as the music, Waitrose has donated mulled wine and mince pies and there will be home-baked cakes and other seasonal goodies.

Winter Wonderland Leigh Road Baptist Church, Marguerite Drive, Leigh.

Tomorrow, 7.30pm, £8-£10 01702 713530