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Brighton Goes Gospel has something special about it. After seeing their May Festival performance, I didn’t think it could get any better. And then it does. The talent and the love for singing is entwined and represented throughout every choir member. With a special performance from Tracey Campbell (with one of the most spectacular voices I have ever heard), and with an always-energetic presence of Choir Director, Karen Gibson, this night was moving, happy, warm, inspiring; and fun.

Hove Town Hall, 12 December 2011
Rating:
Laura Hayward

The night was full of quirky and entertaining stories and playlets using the theme of ‘Parlour Games’. This was an evening in which new and well established writers aired their most recent work which not only entertained, but gave the audience a new insight into the world of parlour games. The majority of it was mind games, using the theme as a spring board. However, despite the wonderful variety of writers and performers including Felstead and Waddell as the headliners, the compere for the evening who was not always as focused as she could be. The team did handle the evening well as a whole, especially when the last act couldn’t perform due to a technological hitch!

Komedia, 11 December 2011
Rating:
Sascha Cooper

Appearing without you-know-who, Stephen’s second night was a brilliant laugh-out-loud fest. Take away The Office and Extras, and you may wonder what to expect from someone recognised as Ricky Gervais’ sidekick. But Stephen really did hold his own as he stepped into the limelight by himself, mocking how he’s fought to be recognised in his own right – The Guardian once referred to the duo as Ricky Gervais and Stephen Mitchell. The show was full of anecdotes about his unsuccessful dates in search of a wife, a brilliant sketch using two unexpected members from the audience, and most importantly the difficulties of being 6ft 7. A genuinely hilarious man who’s fast becoming a standup comic-giant.

The Brighton Centre, 11 December 2011
Rating:
Laura Burgess

Pull A Cracker with the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus promised a night of Christmas favourites and pop and rock classics to get you in the festive mood, and they certainly did not disappoint! The sell out crowd were treated to a vast collection of songs, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary; from Leonard Cohen to Mariah Carey, with a ‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Sister Act’ tribute thrown in for good measure. And if that wasn’t enough, there was compering from the brilliantly funny local lady Zoe Lyons and even an appearance from everyone’s favourite Eastender June Brown aka. Dot Cotton! It was a magical evening and judging by the rapturous applause and standing ovation at the end that was a feeling shared by everyone there. Just brilliant!

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 11 December 2011
Rating:
Natasha Prochaski