Leighton Buzzard Children's Theatre celebrates 30 years of 'Big Sing Out' with new Christmas song

The Big Sing Out 2024 (December 8). Images supplied by LBCT.The Big Sing Out 2024 (December 8). Images supplied by LBCT.
The Big Sing Out 2024 (December 8). Images supplied by LBCT.
A Leighton Buzzard theatre group is celebrating 30 years of 'The Big Sing Out' against cancer with a brand new Christmas song.

Over the past three decades it's estimated that festive performances from the Leighton Buzzard Children's Theatre (LBCT) and its adult Advance Theatre Company (ACT) have raised an astonishing £50,000 for charity to fight cancer.

They are now proud to present a new Christmas song, 'Maybe This Year', to celebrate the milestone – and are hoping the community can "share, share, share" their YouTube video and JustGiving page.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

LBCT director, Sally Allsopp, said: "Throughout the 30 years we've had lots of different performances, 'Singing Out' wherever we can, outside shopping centres, at Luton Airport, and we often organise a full theatre show, too.

"We try to raise as much as we can. A lot of people want to give money, and I think for people it's important.

"I remember there was a man at Luton Airport who was sitting on his suitcase for ages watching the children.

"He gave me £10, and said, 'I need to do this. My Mum's very ill and I'm flying home. You have made my Christmas.'"

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sally, from Heath and Reach, was first inspired to help after reading one of her mum's women's magazines, which featured a plea to 'sing out against cancer'.

Her immediate thought was "I've got to do that", so she gathered together a little group of village children and their friends and joined forces with Andy Collier, who ran the children's theatre group at the time.

And following humble performances at the village's Royal British Legion and St Leonard's Church Hall, the Big Sing Out - originally called 'Sing Out Against Cancer' - has "grown and grown and grown."

Sally said: "I think to be honest cancer touches every family. I lost my Grandad when I was 15, and my best friend's mum died when we were 16.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"My husband David also had a cancer scare, but he was treated really quickly.

"We realised how important it is that it can be cured and that it isn't just a horrible sentence."

David, who trained as a professional musician at the Royal Academy of Music, wrote and composed the group's special song, 'Maybe This Year' - a plea of hope that Christmas spirit, kindness, and peace can last a little longer.

Sally said: "The children really like it. They learnt the words really quickly and they are really proud of it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"And some of our adults say they can't sing it - they get too emotional!"

The LBCT performed their 'Big Sing Out' at Vandyke Theatre on Sunday (December 8) and raised £1,000 for this year's chosen cancer charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.

The show is described as traditional, featuring carols, Christmas songs, pop numbers - and of course, this December's special number, Maybe This Year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sally concluded: "From across the years, I would like to say thank you to anybody who has been involved: to every single performer from the really young ones to the older ones; to our alumni; to anyone who has ever helped in any way; and to our audiences who have come to support us."

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1861
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice