Voices of Lions (Old St Paul’s Church, Jeffrey Street) is the name of a school choir, here in Edinburgh for the umpteenth time, singing a cappella or accompanied by piano (and once by air guitar…), with a repertoire ranging from sacred to secular and serious to silly.
The show is performed in Old St Paul’s Church, just along from the Market Street entrance to Waverley train station, and it has to be said the acoustics have always been excellent there. But it’s a big old church and could be quite intimidating, even for a group of 45 schoolboys. If they were intimidated, it certainly didn’t show.
And this is the point, Voices of Lions is performed by BOYS! I’ve been amazed by (university) student choirs and a cappella groups over the years, but this lot aren’t even old enough to have quite decided on the right hairstyles to suit their growing stature yet (sorry, but as the mum of boys, it has to be said). But boy can they sing!
No spoilers, but the staging of the opening piece was genius – well done choreographer Alice Jones – and had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. Director Daniel Roland played a low-key role, encouraging the soloists in particular, but standing right back when the boys were in full swing with the likes of ‘Drunken Sailor’. Whilst obviously choreographed – again well done Alice – there seemed to be genuine joy and camaraderie. It was infectious.
The standout performance for me was relative newcomer to the choir Hugo Knowles, who could break your heart with his rendition of schoolmate Sam Moshi’s arrangement of ‘Misty’. I have no idea of his plans post-school, but there must be a place on a stage for him in the future. Sam should also get a special mention for all of his input – another star in the ascendant I’d say. And yet it feels slightly mean just to pick these two out. There were other solos – all beautifully and competently delivered – and what’s a choir but much, much more than the sum of its parts?
I said it earlier, these are BOYS and they are wonderful. Please go and see them and if you miss them this year, make sure you get a ticket for Voices of Lions as soon as you can for next year’s show.
