THIS choir, who performed on Disney's classic 'The Lion King', came into a rain soaked Manchester evening to bring early Christmas cheer in the form of carols old and new.

They were billed as a capella singers, which unfortunately they are not.

Some of the voices were really outstanding, but they suffered from an unsuitable venue, with a very big acoustic, which is not kind to amplified sound. They were also let down by dreadful sound engineering, poor staging and an overly enthusiastic band.

The songs, such as 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot', where the audience was invited to join in, vocally and with body movements, came off the best.

The over-miked choir was ear splittingly loud in the full ensemble, and in the solos the sound was fluffed by too much keyboard accompaniment.

The conductor gave it everything and the choir worked very hard. It was such a shame that it didn't quite come off, as the audience was right behind them, willing them onward. It was a good audience turnout and many seemed to enjoy it very much, but there was a sense of what might have been with more professional technical backup.

London Community Gospel Choir, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.