How Indian Blue Chorus Brought Barbershop to the Pantomime Stage

This year, Indian Blue Chorus did something we’ve never done before: we performed a pantomime. Yes, a real, honest-to-goodness, full-costume, jokefilled, audience-cheering, villain-booing pantomime. And we did it entirely in four-part harmony.

Every year we compete, perform, and entertain our local community through concerts and sing-outs, which we love. But this year, we wanted to try something new, something that would challenge us at the performance level, bring us closer as a chorus, and offer a fresh way to share the joy of barbershop. So, under the guidance of our fearless director, Adrian Gimpel, we set out to stage our very first pantomime production: :"Absolute Pantomonium!".

For our chorus, it was a bold idea. Many of us had never acted on stage, let alone delivered lines in character or danced in wigs and makeup. But what we lacked in experience, we made up for in enthusiasm, and along the way we built wonderful new relationships with venue owners and experienced theatre people who helped us bring the show to life.

The script wove together cheeky characters, surprise plot twists, and plenty of audience participation, all part of the fun of a pantomime in the English tradition. We didn’t just sing and act, though; we built the world from scratch. Every costume, every set piece, every silly oversized prop was made by us.

We held prop-making parties, shared glue guns and glitter, and turned our homes into mini workshops. Some of us discovered crafting talents we never knew we had. In true barbershop spirit, everyone pitched in, no matter their stage role.

There were definitely nerves leading up to the performance. Many of us were outside our comfort zones. But something amazing happened: the music held us together. The trust we’ve built as singers translated beautifully to the stage. We listened, supported, adapted, and had more fun than we ever imagined.

Beyond the applause (which was wonderful!), what stood out most was how much this experience bonded us as a chorus. We saw new sides of each other. Members who had never taken the spotlight before suddenly lit up the stage. We laughed constantly, helped each other with lines and choreography, and came away stronger, not just as performers, but as friends.

And the audience? They absolutely loved it. Many told us afterward they hadn’t expected barbershop to fit so naturally into theatre, but by the end of the show, they were completely won over.

Now we’re already talking about next year’s production, and it’s safe to say this won’t be our last time mixing harmony with theatrical flair.

To any other choruses thinking of stepping outside the box, do it. Whether it’s pantomime, storytelling, or something entirely new, all you need is a little courage, a lot of laughter, and of course, four-part harmony.

Tanya McKenna PR & Marketing