REVIEW: BGMC: ‘Nautical but nice’

Michael Hydes spends an evening on the high seas with the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.

It’s got to be hard work creating an annual event that’s different every year, shows off the talents of choir and soloist alike, is funny and heartwarming, and able to raise hundreds of pounds for worthy causes; and yet the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus seems to be able to do it every time.

This year’s fringe offering had a pirate theme Nautical but nice and introduced Brighton to its dubious salty past.

Paul Charlton, the GMC chairman and the infamous character Clint Flint in our escapade, was subject to a family history reveal that brought to light the likes of Little Willy, One Eyed Dick, and Raving Frederick Firecrotch; (very ably played by Ralph Corke, Charlie Bedson, and Andrew Farr).

The innnuendo flew, the pirates revealed, and the music hinted beautifully at the undertone of the story as it unfolded. The choir expressed the full range of their talents from a rendition of Cantique De Jean Racine, (which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end), to the Adam Ant classic pop song Stand and Deliver, (proving that the choir had no shortage of testosterone!).

Ashley Pfeffer and Andy Williams brought us Beyond the sea as a lovely duet, and then Adam Betteridge, Nick Ford, Sadao Ueda, Ant Pay, Chris Baker, and Charlie Bedson all brought creditable solo’s.

The choir’s rendition of David Bowie’s Life on Mars was a stunning credit to the work of Marc Yarrow and Tim Nail (Musical Director and Assistant Musical Director) as it showcased the range of the choir whilst being true to the form of the song. Once again the Gay Men’s Chorus delivered a roaring success and I was pleased to be able to be present both evenings, cheering them on.

This year’s events raised funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Wolfram Wyndrome Uk Support Group.