BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS: Beauty and the Bear

BGMC as a part of their raison d’etre include comedy sketches into their performances. Over the years I have been critical of them I must confess but on this occasion I have to say that for a variety of reasons they pulled it off. Firstly the concept behind the story was so poignant, in an LGBTQ+ world that is so very tribal, how heartening it was to see something featuring inclusivity in a way that is seldom discussed. And the writing was tighter than ever before, yes there were gags and a smattering of saucy innuendo but it was balanced. And finally the performances were sharp, everyone word perfect and in particular a very good pantomime dame. Full marks!

But that is not what we are really there for, the music is the ting and once again the BGMC put on a great show. They must be good surely to fill The Dome Concert Hall to near capacity. It’s a huge venue and judging by the very mixed audience their appeal goes way beyond the LGBTQ+ community, and that is a good thing to see.

Last night Tim Nail was joined extra musicians too, guitar, drums and a second keyboard, all used to great effect but perhaps in the first half a little too set forward in the mix causing the chorus to belt out their first two numbers. Things settled down in the quieter pieces and by part two the sound balance was greatly improved but the sounds issues certainly impacted on the evening and that is a great shame.

The set was as usual an eclectic mix of classic Christmas fare, pop anthems and solos and the whole, following two Santa songs, was launched by a very impressive Be Our Guest from Beauty And The Beast sung by Graeme Clark Dempster, a chorus member who never fails to impress and this was him at his very best.

The Teddy Bear’s Picnic followed with a fun arrangement by Tim Nail, Tim’s settings are always very good and this was no exception. And the choir lapped it up milking the kiddy lyrics for every comic moment.

I will confess that as something of an old codger these days, quite a few of the chosen numbers were new to me. I don’t listen to Billie Eilish and the likes so I clung to the more familiar pop and musical theatre numbers as only a man of my age might do. Needless to say, the audience lapped it up and I went along with the apparent joy in the room.

One of my all time favourite songs has to be You’re Just In Love, a clever duet from Call Me Madam, and Chris Hutchinson and Gary Edwards did a good job although one I feel could have been so much better had they been side by side and feeding off each other to get the best effect from those two overlapping themes.

Ythe evening was packed with great solos, too many to list here in a week where my concert and theatre attendance has reached an exhausting peak and for this I apologise.

Part two opened with a favourite, The Frost Scene by Purcell, a stunning choral masterpiece that the choir have made their very own. It always put a wide smile on my face and it displays just how accomplished BGMC really is are, and slipping seamlessly into Winter Wonderland was a clever conceit that really worked.

Surprisingly, given the theme of the show, there were only a few songs from the Disney film but the main theme, sung by David Purdue and Nick Ford was a real crowd pleaser, two great voices for sure, each striving to out sing the other perhaps, but without a doubt a highlight of the evening.

Oh Holy Night once again showed their choral prowess and once again brought a tear to my eye remembering how my father and Aunty Nellie would give it a go after eating too much turkey and Christmas pudding, happy days!

The evening romped on with Joe Paxton driving things forward with his usual determination and skill, and an energetic presence that would have easily earned him a place in Pan’s People (a reference for those older readers).

And what Christmas concert would not be complete without a big festive dollop of creamy Carey, yes Mariah’s classic Xmas offering here delivered by the guys with lashings of armography and genuine joy.

This concert has become a highlight of the festive season for so many of us and announces that the holiday is definitely started.

Andrew Kay

13 December

Brighton Dome Concert Hall

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