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A Concert of Christmas Songs and Carols, P&P Singers, St Aldhelm’s Church, Branksome

WHAT better start to Christmas could there have been than an evening spent in the company of this first-class group who really sing from the heart, with enthusiasm and talent evident in every note? And when they were also performing in a church adorned with over 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees – well, it makes the picture conjured up by Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly seem a bit tame, somehow.

Dressed in red and black, with the occasional tinsel and Santa hat – not to mention one gorgeous pair of red shoes a la Wizard of Oz - adding to the pretty sight, the singers, with their superb accompanist Mary Potter, brought us seasonal songs and carols galore.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock rubbed shoulders in happy juxtaposition with the likes of Joy to the World, The Three Kings and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. And once again director extraordinaire Jean Chambers had seemingly trawled every available source to find unusual arrangements, giving a new, refreshing slant to even the best-known songs.

My favourite though was the little-known Bethlehem from Boublil and Schonberg’s Martin Guerre, which was, like the interval Stollen cake, mouth-wateringly gorgeous.

Linda Kirkman

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