A more apt title for this year’s Show Choir show could not have been chosen than ‘A Star is Born’.

One of the best moments of any Show Choir performance are the solos, where you watch a performer approach the microphone at the front of the stage, having no idea what they might sound like. Then, as they open their mouth to sing, you have the feeling of a star being born. The quality of the singing was consistently incredibly high, showing off a range of different voice types and qualities, which is refreshing in an age where musical theatre is all-too-often dominated with tenors and sopranos. From the deep yet tender vocal stylings of Dominic Carrington, to the smooth, Bruno-Mars-esque Thomas Cox, to the cannon-like power of altos Rebecca Mayer and Chloe Stark, everyone brought their own unique voice to the stage.

"They created a gorgeous sound, which the audience responded to in ear-splittingly loud shouts of adulation"

It would be criminal not to mention the excellent blend of choral numbers. Despite, by their own admission, having a shortage of men in the cast, this was no obstacle to the balance between the different voice types. You could hear every line clear as a bell, and together they created a gorgeous sound, which the audience responded to in ear-splittingly loud shouts of adulation. It did help that they were supported by such a fantastic band.

One of the most impressive skills displayed by the choir as a whole was their ability to sing and dance at the same time which, at least to my eyes, seemed dauntingly complicated. A particular favourite in this regard was “Walking on sunshine”. All credit must go here to Lucy Thompson and her team, whose choreography effectively used both the size of the space they were in, as well as navigating the tricky task of working with such a large cast, presumably of varying dance experience (not that you’d be able to tell).

In addition to this, the compering was brilliantly executed, the tone of the comperes fully embracing the crowd’s enthusiasm while not coming across as over-confident. A particularly special moment came during Tom Cox’s compere set, when he and Dominic Carrington performed a short comedy sketch addressing Dom’s absence from the show so far. It was lovely to see two clearly very close friends enjoying sharing the stage together.

"You cannot help but be swept up along for the ride"

However, despite all this, the most special thing I found about the show was the atmosphere. When the first number started, there were immediate whoops and shouts of enthusiasm from the audience, and each number ended with an enormous round of applause. The constant audience response to the compering and the good-natured back-and-forth between certain vocal audience members and the cast were heartwarming to behold. I think my favourite moment of the show was when one particular compere came out and asked the audience how much they loved her, to adoration-filled cries from the crowd. It was so refreshing, in such a competitive university, where everyone is constantly stressed and under pressure with deadlines and whatnot, for there to be such a profound atmosphere of positivity. This speaks to the fantastic relationship the Show Choir has managed to build with its audience, and, as an audience member, you cannot help but be swept up along for the ride.

Overall, the show was an incredibly enjoyable evening. There was not a moment from start to finish where I did not have an ear-to-ear grin plastered across my face, nor could I see a frown on anyone else’s; and if that is not the sign of a successful, light-hearted show, then I do not know what is.