PREVIEW: Actually Gay Men’s Chorus presents ‘Showstoppers’

Following their hugely successful sell out winter concert season Actually Gay Men’s Chorus (Actually GMC) return this Summer with a programme that promises to keep you on the edge of your seats and begging for more!

IT is no secret that the boys at Actually GMC adore Musical Theatre and empowered by the longest rehearsal period to prepare a show in the Chorus’ history. Actually GMC Musical Director Samuel Cousins has raised the bar by preparing the most technically challenging repertoire for the chorus to date.

SHOWSTOPPERS will be the first of this year’s performances by Actually GMC. Expect high drama, spine tingling emotion, belly laugh comedy and a few surprises along the way as you are taken on a journey through songs that have quite literally stopped the show to become bigger even than the Musicals themselves.

Samuel’s inspired song choices eschew standard showtune expectations to re imagine Broadway favourites and introduce lesser known pieces that will become instant hits with the Actually GMC audience.

Actually GMC was created in 2005 with the aim to provide a safe place where gay men and their allies can socialise and develop new skills in a unique environment.

This year’s extended preparation period has enabled the chorus to engage and nurture new talented performers with several new members gaining the confidence to sing solo for the first time in this production alongside experienced regulars and guest professionals.

The boys have decided again to exclusively fundraise this year for the members’ chosen charity The Sussex Beacon which offers specialist care and support for men, women and families living with HIV.

Julie Rawcliffe of The Sussex Beacon said: “The Sussex Beacon is proud to have been chosen once again as the charity of the year by AGMC. During 2018 the Chorus and their generous audiences raised an incredible £3142.83 for the Sussex Beacon. This will pay for essential specialist HIV care that is unavailable anywhere else. Treatment for HIV has greatly improved the lives of those living with the virus, however there are still some who experience daily challenges. It is this group to whom we provide health care health management services and social support. The communities of Hove and Brighton have always been great supporters of the Beacon and we thank AGMC for continuing this tradition.”

SHOWSTOPPERS welcomes back West End star Wain Douglas as his alter ego the vocal powerhouse Kara van Park to oversee the evenings proceedings.

Audience favourite Karen Orchin returns to join Actually GMC as their guest soprano.

Musical Director Samuel Cousins, said: “2018 was a great year for the chaps of the Chorus and this year we are performing a different schedule enabling us to revisit some old repertoire learn some new songs and discover challenging arrangements of some musical theatre classics. SHOWSTOPPERS promises to be our best show yet.”