ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS: SUSSEX BY THE SEA
In the last few years I have been increasing impressed by many things that the “Actually’s” do. Their choice of material is not only entertaining but also as a choral group can be challenging. Their feel for the dynamics of a piece is first class, and their presentation choices are stylish and uncluttered. But most of all I enjoy the fact the for the most part their soloists perform backed by the entire choir.
Sussex By The Sea, their latest offering, was a fun evening that saw all of the above once more, even if some of those Sussex links were somewhat tenuous. Opening with a rollicking sea shanty got us all in the mood and then following with a beautiful piece from The Pearl Fishers by Bizet set the bar high for what was to come and showed the chorus at their very ambitious best before heading off into a set that balanced popular song with comedy and classics.
And what classics, you can always put a smile on my face with a slab of Gilbert and Sullivan and that was how they rounded of the first half. Can we have more G&S next time please, that was such fun and so well suited the choirs best qualities with a full on sounds and well delivered solos.
The second half opened with a lyrically altered version of I Am What I Am from La Cage that was meant to lead into a medley of songs from Herman and Fierstein’s classic, but our compère for the evening Kara Van Park delivered something far more emotional and nailed it, this was a bravura performance from an act that can certainly deliver a song, and it was heartfelt too.
Next a comedic moment from Patrick Bullock as he belted out Bring On The Men to much delight.
A tribute to Britain’s Eurovision entries was revived from a previous programme and as before was a real crowd pleaser.
I am a huge fan of this ensemble but on a slightly less positive note on this occasion the sound delivered by amplification was not great, too hefty for a choir of this quality in a church with a good acoustic. Do they need it? I’m not so sure.
Andrew Kay
23 June
St Mary’s Kemp Town
Rating: 
