The London Gay Men’s Chorus – Europe’s largest male voice choir, with more than 200 singing members – recently celebrated their 30th birthday with a series of anniversary concerts, ‘Big Birthday Bash!’ at the Clapham Grand in December 2021. The Chorus boys are continuing to celebrate their milestone birthday with a year-long programme of events, the next of which is rapidly approaching. On 29th and 30th April at Cadogan Hall they will be staging tribute concerts to gay composer and Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, who passed away at the end of last year.
The shows – titled ‘Sondheim Songtime’ – promise to be a spectacle, with songs drawn from the prolific writer’s impressive back catalogue of hit musicals – think West Side Story, Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Follies, and more besides. The Chorus will also be shining a spotlight on some of his lesser-know work – including Anyone Can Whistle (currently being revived at the Southwark Playhouse), Passion, and Evening Primrose.
Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Jenna Russell, renowned for her performances of Sondheim’s work, will be joining the Chorus for the shows as their guest soloist. Writing recently on Twitter Jenna said that she was “beyond thrilled to be joining London Gay Men’s Chorus at Cadogan Hall 29th & 30th April celebrating our beloved Sondheim”.
Artistic director Simon Sharp told QX: “This is a London Gay Men’s Chorus first – an entire programme from a single composer, celebrating the life of the late, great Stephen Sondheim. Not only was he one of the most influential writers of a generation, but he was also an openly gay man, overcoming many difficulties around his own sexuality and faith in a time when the challenges of such openness presented significant personal and societal difficulties. ‘Sondheim Songtime’ is a timely opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Stephen Sondheim, with a selection of highlights from his Broadway shows.”
Stephen Sondheim was a titan of musical theatre. Many of Broadway’s best known and popular songs are a result of his creative output and this show is a timely celebration of his work across the decades. Thought-provoking yet entertaining, his genius was both as a composer and lyricist, using both these talents to leave a legacy of remarkable variety, recognised by critics, performers and theatre-goers in equal measure.
The London Gay Men’s Chorus will undoubtedly bring their unique choral arrangements and fabulous choreography to the stage at London’s Cadogan Hall, breathing new life into the material and reimagining the songs in exciting new ways. You won’t want to miss it!
It’s already been a busy year for the Chorus, with recent highlights including singing at the launch of the BFI Flare film festival and opening for Katherine Ryan during her shows at the Palladium in March and April. After the Sondheim Songtime concerts, the Chorus will be performing at the Mighty Hoopla and Pride Unwrapped festivals this June.
Gay Men’s Chorus at Cadogan Hall 29th & 30th April
Tickets for Sondheim Songtime, from £20 (plus fees) are available at: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/london-gay-mens-chorus-sondheim-songtime/
For more information on the London Gay Men’s Chorus visit: https://www.lgmc.org.uk
