Simply Christmas

The South Shields Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s Simply Christmas concert proved to be exactly what its title promised: a warm, heartfelt, beautifully crafted celebration of the season. Performed in the stunning setting of a local church, the atmosphere alone set the tone for an evening of charm, quality musicianship, and genuine festive spirit.

Split into two acts and four themed sections, and accompanied throughout by the superb Jonny Winters on piano, the concert showcased the impressive breadth of talent within the society.

Christmas by Candlelight

The opening section provided a gentle, traditional introduction to the evening. The hushed serenity of the church combined with the ensemble’s rich vocal blend created a magical start. Carol of the Bells was a particular highlight, delivered with precision and energy. The four-part close-harmony arrangement of Mary, Did You Know? was simply stunning—an arrangement that was beautifully controlled.

Christmas at the Movies and Musicals

This section brought excitement, nostalgia, and theatrical flair, blending strong vocals with thoughtful characterisation. Angela Newbrook’s Count Your Blessings was performed with touching sincerity and warmth, while Gary Deans’ spirited performance of Thank You Very Much had the audience chuckling along thanks to his infectious energy and confident stage presence.

Classic Christmas

By this point, the audience were fully invested, singing, clapping, and smiling their way through the classics. Dianne Jackson delighted with her comic and skilfully delivered Man with a Bag, offering a wonderful moment of levity. A memorable duet from Gerry Troughton and Geoff Inskip followed—despite a couple of forgotten words, the pair handled the moment with such professionalism and humour that it enhanced the performance, recalling the effortless charm of Morecambe and Wise. With this being Gerry’s final performance with the group, it proved to be a heartfelt and fitting farewell.

Christmas Chart Toppers

The final section provided a contemporary lift to the programme. Michael Brabbs delivered a beautifully emotional I’ll Be Home for Christmas, his voice filling the space with warmth and sincerity. Daniel and Kathryn Wales offered a gorgeous acoustic guitar duet of Under the Tree, displaying musicianship and sensitivity that perfectly complemented the evening’s tone.

What stood out most across the entire concert was the society’s sheer range of talent. It was a pleasure to see so many different members stepping into the spotlight with confidence, each bringing something unique. When performing together as a chorus, the sound was powerful, well-balanced, and consistently impressive.

Under the skilled musical direction of Steph Kay, the ensemble of 46 demonstrated not only vocal strength but remarkable restraint and musical intelligence—supporting soloists with a blend that was quieter yet still beautifully present. Rebecca and Steph’s arrangements and song choices were thoughtful, polished, clearly very well rehearsed, and the company’s stage presence added to the enjoyment of the whole evening.

Simply Christmas was a warm, uplifting, and musically rich celebration of the season. This concert highlighted the society at its best, and I very much look forward to seeing what they present next. 

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