Before the performance has even started, you can hear the melodies wafting through the hall as Julian Raphael coaches us, the audience, through some canons that he would like us to join in throughout the show.

We then meet the first choir, representing Generation X, or… the ‘middle aged’, singing exuberantly about their enormous achievements including technology, human rights, family first and enduring music whilst lamenting the faults such as frivolous spending, student loans and normalizing war. Home truths are addressed: the fact we are becoming jaded, boring and cynical.

The second choir representing the Baby Boomers confronts the first choir with both positive and critical statements about Gen X. Picking on the positive changes, they congratulate the next generation for some excellent work and societal changes whilst criticising the lack of depth that is shown to the family in favour of ‘doing more’; their single-mindedness in being ‘seen to be doing’ without actually engaging; the loss of traditions and crafts that have been so instrumental for previous generations whilst positively breaking down societal gender norms.

This is becoming quite a stand-off, intense but real, caring and quite frustrating. It’s a time to review what has happened both in the past and now; to celebrate our successes together and lament our mistakes, of which both generational choirs have many. After many side-swipes at the other, an air of fractious conciliation develops.

With things just starting to calm down, a raucous noise develops from the back of the venue like someone has just started a riot and we are introduced to our third choir, the Millennials! A riot is the best way of describing them, all casual clothing, clashing colours and a general lack of decorum as they bounce onto the stage in an audio frenzy with their ideals, dreams and hopes while pointing out the barriers for them as they enter the adult world. Full of energy and wanting a fair deal, urging the Boomers to retire, create real jobs for them and above all, allow them to be accepted and have fun. 

So, now we have a three way stand-off. Accusations, comedic one-liners and poignant comments ensue as no generation seems to agree with anything whilst complimenting each other at the same time.

The issues are tossed around on the floor in a high-energy atmosphere. There are many laughs and thought-provoking comments as you take on the views of each of the choirs and, in turn, confront our societal issues.

We end this performance with yet another, fourth choir: our children, our future. Perhaps most enlightening of all is the simplicity of their wants, dreams and desires; the realization that perhaps we have over-complicated things, made life too stressful when all our children want is food, love, our time and a little bit of magic. 

This is a great performance, put together in such a short period of time by director/writer Jo Randerson. It’s a very enjoyable and thought-provoking way of enabling us to address key issues in our society. Definitely worth watching.

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