The Meeting

The Final Collaboration

The Meeting, which premiered on Friday 29 June 1990, during the International Congress at Wembley Grand Hall in London, was the tenth and final musical penned by the celebrated duo John Gowans and John Larsson. It was commissioned specifically for this significant event.

General Gowans recalled that the musical was presented by a team from Nottingham, skilfully led by Major John Mott, who had extensive experience in musical production. On the work itself, General Gowans commented:

It is not an easy work and it suffers a little from lack of revision. One or two of its songs are among our best I think. — General John Gowans

A Message for the Future

Reflecting on The Meeting, General Gowans pondered if it would be their last work of its kind. He passionately advocated for the musical as a means of outreach:

The musical is still a marvellously painless way of getting a message across, and I would be sorry if the Army abandoned it... The theatre is neutral ground, and we who are focused on mission should occupy as much of it as we can. — General John Gowans

A particular disappointment for him was the scarcity of younger writers within The Salvation Army exploring the musical genre. He emphasised the need for contemporary styles in script and lyrics, highlighting that 'thousands of people around the world have found Christ or discovered their vocation through the musicals.'

John Larsson, in May 2013, also noted that The Meeting came at the 'tail-end of the era of our musicals,' yet it included some of their best songs, and he was pleased to see its continuing use by groups around the world.

Core Theme

The musical focuses on the lives and circumstances of a group of people attending a Salvation Army meeting. Its central message is that the most transformative meeting is not the gathering at the hall but the personal encounter with Christ.

Notable Songs

Several songs from The Meeting have become well-loved within The Salvation Army and beyond, including 'I Want To Say Yes', 'There's Someone Who Knows', 'Do You Love Me', and 'With Christ Into The Future'. 'I Want To Say Yes' was also published in The Musical Salvationist in October 1991 (Vol 105-P4).

Premiere and Legacy

The premiere at the 1990 International Congress in the Wembley Auditorium marked a significant moment. The musical was subsequently published by Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (SP&S).

The Meeting stands as a testament to Gowans and Larsson's enduring legacy, a final powerful call to encounter Christ, delivered through the accessible and engaging medium of the musical. It continues to be performed, carrying its timeless message to new generations.