Hampton School’s acclaimed male-voice choir, Voices of Lions, attracted record audiences during a hugely successful return to the Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest performing arts festival.
The 54-strong ensemble, featuring Hamptonians from Third Year to Upper Sixth alongside recent leavers, performed five times at Old St Paul’s Church during the choir’s thirteenth appearance at the Fringe. Their programme showcased the breadth of the choir’s repertoire, from Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive to Walk the Moon’s Shut Up and Dance, alongside classical works, spirituals and contemporary favourites, a signature of Voices of Lions.
Particularly moving was the choir’s rendition of He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, while crowd-pleasers such as Friend Like Me from Aladdin and a spirited performance of The Beatles classic Here Comes the Sun were brought to life with inventive choreography. The programme highlighted the choir’s versatility, musical skill and engaging approach to performance.
In true Fringe spirit, the Hamptonians spent their mornings promoting the show on the Royal Mile, handing out distinctive black and yellow flyers. Their efforts paid off, with audiences of more than 200 people attending each performance, making it one of the choir’s most successful Fringe appearances to date.
The choir’s performances were warmly received throughout the festival, with audience members praising not only the quality of the singing but also the variety, energy and professionalism of the group. Among the many comments received after the concerts were:
Phenomenal, uplifting, vibrant and just magical! Hampton have some amazing soloists but the charisma of each and every one of these 54 boys is just tremendous!
Absolutely loved it! A must-see at the Fringe! The energy, talent and passion of the young performers is incredible.
Director Music, Mr Daniel Roland, was delighted with this year’s Fringe appearance:
Back to All ArticlesI frequently find myself saying, “this was a particularly strong year,” but this year was the strongest I have ever known Voices of Lions. The remarkable tightness, energy and brilliance of the 54 voices captivated audiences of more than 200 at every performance.
Across our five shows, we welcomed over 1,000 audience members, making the week feel truly special. It was an extraordinary and memorable experience for everyone involved, and one that we will remember for a long time to come.
