A combination of factors made the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus show special: the joyful smiles of the performers, who were clearly having the time of their lives; the varied arrangements bringing out different rhythms in their songs; and the response of the audience, who packed out the Dome and came ready to laugh, applaud, wolf-whistle and raise the roof when invited to sing along.
The group’s costume choices also added to the spectacle. Their sequinned black waistcoats twinkled as they swayed from side to side, while in preparation for an ardent rendition of I Will Follow Him from Sister Act, the chorus spun around revealing nuns’ wimples and hands clasped in prayer.
Their voices blended together perfectly, making traditional songs such as O Holy Night and In The Bleak Midwinter deeply moving. Credit should also go to their talented soloists Amit Ratnaparkhi, Dan Stamper, Rod Edmunds, Tony Butland, Colin Rogers-March, Ant Pay and Nick Ford.
Guest star June Brown took to the stage too early, unmissable in her fairy-godmother dress, spangled tiara and umbrella. So she sank down at the front of the stage in a welter of tulle, regally conducting Radio Ga Ga with her magic wand.
Cheery compere Zoe Lyons collapsed in giggles at the saucy 12 Gays Of Christmas. Lorraine Bowen’s glitterfestooned cameo was equally hilarious, yet baffling, backed by a rotating ski scene and her woolly-hat-wearing dance troupe the Hurstpierpointer Sisters.
The show concluded with a triumphant rendition of I Am What I Am and a standing ovation.
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