As the finale to the day long National Festival of LGBT History being held at The People's History Museum in Manchester, and part of the LGBT History Month, the Manchester Lesbian And Gay Chorus took the floor of The Engine Room by storm to sing some songs inspired by the themes of the day's conferences.
Under the guidance of choir master and group leader, Loz Kaye, who has a rather eccentric but extremely likeable and passionate style about him, the chorus sang music from The Beetles, Abba and the Musical Wicked to name just a few.
The best and most memorable of this short 20 minute concert were first a fantastic rendition of a Maori song, the song that was sung in the New Zealand Parliament on the passing of the Gay Rights Bill. I don't know its title, but it was a truly emotive song and sung superbly. The other stand out number was the song Bread And Roses from the film Pride. 
The choir sang unaccompanied and their part singing and harmonies were, in the main, excellent. A couple were at times a little off, and some members were more sure of their lines than others. Some used folders with the sheet music and others sang from memory. This looked a little ragged, as did the fact that all wore the same mauve coloured t-shirts but what they wore below the waist was freestyle, and with torn jeans, trainers and the like, the whole feel of the choir was amateur and uncaring. This was such a pity. With a little more thought and eye for presentation, the choir would have looked even sounded better! However, that being said, they did sing extremely well and all were passionate in their doing.
It was a very fitting and joyous, uplifting end to a long and hard day for those who stayed the whole time and took in talks, slide-shows, discussions and even two theatre pieces.
For more details about The Manchester Lesbian And Gay Chorus, please visit mlgc.org.uk, and for more on LGBT History Festival then information can be found at www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk
Reviewer: Mark Dee
Reviewed: 27th February 2016
