It’s not even been two years since the boys of Collabro won Britain’s Got Talent, but this show was proof that they’ve come a long way. Their ‘Act Two’ tour is based on their second album of the same name. It’s an eclectic mix that includes Mumford and Sons’I will wait, Kodaline’sAll I want, Queen’sWho wants to live forever, and Music of the Night from Andrew Lloyd WebbersPhantom of the Opera. They’ve put together a great song list that skilfully spans the generations.
AJ Brown began the evening’s entertainment with a voice that reminded me of Christopher Cross and Dean Friedman, transporting me back to the 70’s. I especially enjoyed the way he used the piano as a second voice, as much of his personality seemed to be in the notes he played as the words he sang. Nice.
Of course the crowd were clamouring for the Collabro, especially for Richard as he hails from Portslade, and I’m glad to say they didn’t disappoint. Out of all the lads I have to say I favoured Richard. Deep mellow baritone voice, subtle gentle vibrato, a little beary, and a local lad! But they were all excellent. Charming, affable, mixing their music with a little friendly banter that reminded the crowd of their collective roots and their journey to date, each of the lads has a wonderfully unique voice that blends with the whole into the sublime harmonies and blended chords that they’ve become famous for.
The orchestra was excellent. Catriona Murray is a wonderful soprano. She truly lifted the show and gave the boys a wonderful Christine Daae’ to match their talents in the famous Phantom of the Opera duet. Her top notes were extraordinary.
Sadly the sound system was poorly balanced so at times it was easy to miss the subtleties of the evening’s performance, but aside from that it was a wonderfully entertaining concert and at the end everyone was on their feet. Well done lads, we look forward to hearing more from you!
Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith will face off in special debate on LGBT+ issues when candidates vying to be London’s next Mayor will be grilled about plans to improve life for LGBT+ Londoners on the first day of the official campaign for Mayor.
All of the major candidates will join the two leading contenders, Labour’s Sadiq Khan and Conservative Zac Goldsmith – in a mayoral hustings hosted by Pride in London and chaired by ITV Political Correspondent Paul Brand.
The debate will be centred on Pride in London’s Pledge for Politicians. The pledge is a commitment to make London the best LGBT+ city in the world. It is built around a set of policy proposals in three key areas: safety, health, and visibility for LGBT+ Londoners.
Pride in London’s Pledge for Politicians (prideinlondon.org/pledge) calls for specific actions in three key areas: safety, health, and visibility for LGBT+ Londoners.
Proposals include:
♦ Raising awareness and improving reporting mechanisms around hate crimes against LGBT+ people in London
♦ Including same-sex relationship education in all London schools, and developing better approaches to dealing with domestic abuse in same-sex relationships
♦ Making healthcare services, particularly around sexual health, HIV prevention and mental health problems, more accessible for LGBT+ Londoners
In addition to the Labour and Conservative candidates, also participating in the debate will be Liberal Democrat candidate Caroline Pidgeon, Green Party candidate Sian Berry and UKIP candidate Peter Whittle.
The event will be held at The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL on Monday, March 21.
Paul Brand
Paul Brand, ITV Political Correspondent who will chair the Mayoral Hustings, said:“The LGBT+ community is a significant sector of the London electorate – perhaps more so than in any other part of the UK. Our votes matter just as much as anyone else’s, and I look forward to asking the candidates the questions that voters want answered, so that we can hear what each of them has to offer.”
Stephen Ward
Stephen Ward, Deputy Chair of Pride in London, added:“Growing numbers of London’s politicians, including the Labour and Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green Party candidates for mayor, have signed our Pledge which calls for specific actions to be taken in the key areas of health, personal safety and equal treatment to improve life for LGBT+ Londoners. This hustings will give the LGBT+ community a chance to grill each of the main candidates on issues specific to the LGBT+ community and others that are important to all Londoners. This is a key plank of Pride in London’s mission to provide a platform for the LGBT+ community to make its voices heard.”
Politicians to sign Pride in London’s Pledge to date, include:
Seb Dance MEP, Labour, London Region Lord Michael Cashman CBE, Labour Peer, Global LGBT Envoy Baroness Tessa Jowell DBE, Labour Peer Diane Abbott MP, Labour, Hackney North and Stoke Newington Heidi Alexander MP, Labour, Lewisham East Rushanara Ali MP, Labour, Bethnal Green and Bow Neil Coyle MP, Labour, Bermondsey and Old Southwark Dr Stella Creasy MP, Labour, Walthamstow John Cryer MP, Labour, Leyton and Wanstead Vicky Foxcroft MP, Labour, Lewisham Deptford Zac Goldsmith MP, Conservative, Richmond Park and candidate for Mayor of London Helen Hayes MP, Labour, Dulwich and West Norwood Dr Rupa Huq MP, Labour, Ealing Central and Acton Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP, Labour, Tooting and candidate for Mayor of London John McDonnell MP, Labour, Hayes and Harlington and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Steve Pound MP, Labour, Ealing North Steve Reed MP, Labour, Croydon North Joan Ryan MP, Labour, Enfield Paul Scully MP, Conservative, Sutton and Cheam Virenda Sharma MP, Labour, Ealing Tulip Siddiq MP, Labour, Hampstead and Kilburn Andy Slaughter MP, Labour, Hammersmith Sir Keir Starmer QC MP, Labour, Holborn and St Pancras Wes Streeting MP, Labour, Ilford North Catherine West MP, Labour, Hornsey and Wood Green Cllr Danny Beales, Labour Councillor, Camden Cllr Sian Berry, Green Party Councillor, Camden, and candidate for Mayor of London Cllr David Boothroyd, Labour Councillor, Westminster Cllr Paul Church, Conservative Councillor, Westminster Tom Copley AM, Labour, London Assembly Cllr Robert Davis DL, Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council Cllr JP Floru, Conservative Councillor, Westminster Cllr Jonathan Glanz, Conservative Councillor, Westminster Cllr Alan Hall, Labour Councillor, Lewisham Cllr Claudia Hector, Labour Councillor, Brent Cllr John Howard, Labour Councillor, Redbridge Edward Lord OBE, Councilman, City of London Cllr Reema Patel, Labour Councillor, Barnet Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, Liberal Democrat, London Assembly and Candidate for Mayor of London Cllr Michael Rutherford, Conservative Councillor, Bromley Cllr Mark Santos, Labour Councillor, Redbridge Cllr Angela Wilkins, Labour Councillor, Bromley Cllr Richard Williams, Labour Councillor, Bromley
Lorraine Bowen and David Walliams: Photo Roland Saunders
David Walliams who is sponsoring Britain’s Got Talent star Lorraine Bowen when she swims in MindOut’s Swim-a-Thon on Saturday, March 19 has made a surprise donation of £1,000 towards her fundraising efforts.
Comedian, author and all round national treasure, David was very generous in his support for what he called: “…this fantastic charity”.
Lorraine says she is inspired by her favourite Britain’s Got Talent judge, while David himself is no stranger to marathon swimming having swam across the English Channel raising more than one million pounds for Sport Relief.
You can help Lorraine, and MindOut’s other swimmers, with a donation of your own.
To make a donation, click here:it couldn’t be easier.
The Swim-a-Thon will take place at Prince Regent Swimming Complex in Brighton on Saturday, March 19 from 5:30pm. Spectators are welcome to attend for free to support all the swimmers.
Helen Jones
Helen Jones, Director of MindOut, said:“It’s a great boost to our fundraising campaign and many, many thanks to David for his generosity. All the funds we raise go directly to supporting LGBTQ people who have lived experience of mental health issues. MindOut is seeing more and more people coping with high levels of distress, our services are needed more than ever.”
You can support MindOut in a variety of ways in the coming month, including attending the annual MindOut for the Laughs with award-winning comedian Zoe Lyons at St Georges Church, Kemptown on Thursday, March 17. Compere for the evening is Spice who will be introducing Debra-Jane Appelby, as well as Sally Vate, Dolly Rocket, Trudi Styles& the Pianoman and members of the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.
Event:MindOut for the Laughs
Where: St George’s Church, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1ED
Once again this July, Bear Patrol are organising a Group Tandem Sky Dive at Netheravon Airfield Nr Salisbury to raise funds for the Sussex Beacon.
Bear-Patrol Tandem Sky Dive
The jump will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2016 and is the 5th Tandem Sky Dive Bear Patrol have organised.
15 places have been pre-reserved and the cost will be £200 per person plus sponsorship fundraising for the Sussex Beacon.
If you are over 40, you will need to take along with you on the day a medical form signed and stamped by your doctor. If you do not have this form correctly completed, you will not be allowed to jump. No other forms can be accepted.
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