Review by Jill Holloway

Dursley Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert

CHRISTMAS began in style on December 16 and 17 when the Dursley Male Voice Choir performed its Christmas Concert to full houses in the Chantry Centre.

Directed by the talented Barrie Cooper and his assistant Brian Parslow with a welcome return of accompanist Paul Phillips the show was introduced by a dapper and slimline Terry Pascoe.

We had a real treat from beginning to end with some familiar songs and a chance for the audience to sing along with the choir in 2 well known carols. By contrast there were many new items and some refreshing new versions of numbers such as The Holly and the Ivy and The Three Kings of the Orient.

We were transported to Killarney, Israel, Greece, the Basque Country and Cornwall not forgetting a return to Gloucestershire for the Wassail Song. The majority of the songs had been given an original and new feeling with Barrie Cooper’s arrangements. The choir must have had a lot of new things to learn!

The soloists Iwan Lewis and Olivia Brereton were a delightful young couple.

While Olivia pursues her singing career, Iwan has set up a theatre group in Cirencester with performances from the West End.

We enjoyed a selection of music from the Shows including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Carousel.

I was bowled over by their duets- All I Ask Of You and If I Loved You, where the strength of their emotion and close relationship really shone through.

The first half of the concert ended with the wonderful Holy City and the finale was the haunting O Holy Night which was a lovely note on which to send the audience home in a very happy mood.

Thank you gentlemen for giving us such a glorious start to Christmas.