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# REVIEW: Actually Gay Men’s Chorus – Sussex By The Sea
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/review-actually-gay-mens-chorus-sussex-by-the-sea/
- Published: 2023-06-26T13:45:56.000Z
- Updated: 2023-06-26T13:45:56.000Z
- Description: Brian Butler rocks along with songs of fishermen, sailors and other seaside treats
- Author: Brian Butler
- Tags: LGBTQ Choirs, Jack Lynn, Kara van Park, Nick Paget, Samuel Cousins

Fresh from their role in the King’s Coronation weekend concert at Windsor, **Actually Gay Men’s Chorus** came up with a programme of local songs involving local people.

Opening with the power-packed sea shanty *Wellerman*, they followed up with an ensemble version of the *Pearl Fishers duet*, which lost none of its colour. Written as a World War I marching song, *Sussex By The Sea* now sounds rather jingoistic and gung-ho, but it’s still a rousing piece in this choir’s hands, and those of its energetic conductor **Samuel Cousins**.

It’s a fact, we were told, that at one time four out of five men along our coast were fishermen,

Keeping the patriotic theme going, we had drag star **Kara Van Park** – our hostess for the show – who gave us the ironic recruitment song packed with sexual innuendo *I’ll Make A Man Of You*, which is connected to Brighton through the film *Oh! What a Lovely War* which was made in the city.

More factoids from Kara followed – in 1912 the film industry started not in Hollywood but in Shoreham – bet you’re glad you know that. **Ian Fleming** wrote *Chittty Chittty Bang Bang* in Hove and **HG Wells**, who penned **War Of The Worlds**, lived locally for a long time.

Armed with this info, it was a delight to hear **Philip Davies** as soloist, backed by the chorus in the haunting *Hushabye Mountain*. *That’s What Friends Are For* was given a staccato treatment, again with marching rhythms and a hint of barbershop. **Tom Slater-Hyndman** gave us a touchingly beautiful *Forever Autumn*. His gentle high notes gave a melancholy feeling, with great vocal colouring.

Then it all got a jolly bit silly, thanks to **Gilbert and Sullivan**’s *Pinafore* and *Pirates* operettas. **Jack Lynn** donned a seaman’s cap and gave us a frankly implausible butch sailor dreaming of “his Nancy on his knee”.

The second half gave us a rousing ensemble version of *We Are What We Are*, and then a stunning rendition by Kara of *Sideshow*’s *Who Will Love Me As I Am*, showing the true emotional power of this ex-West End star.

*Colour My World*, from *Priscilla*, had rousing harmonies, and *Bring On The Men*, from *Jekyll and Hyde*, was deliciously and suggestively renedered by **Patrick Bullock**.

And later we got **Nick Paget**’s powerful delivery of a song associated with Pride – *A Thousand Years*. It was stunning.

Two fun medleys ended the evening – a rapid tour through **Eurovision**, and a *Jewel In The Crown* mash-up, arranged by Samuel Cousins, which included *Sweet Dreams*, *In Your Own World*, *Fat Bottomed Girls*, *Hey Jude* and *Life On Mars*.

A fun evening, even though there were wobbly moments to start with due to an over-enthusiastic sound system. To be honest, this group is so good they don’t need amplification.

I look forward to their Christmas outing, when we are past this blistering weather.

The show was at **St Mary**’s Kemptown, and raised funds for the **Clock Tower Sanctuary**, a drop-in day centre for 16-25 year olds who experience homelessness. [CLICK HERE](http://thects.org.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) for more information.