Beyond the Manger: Voices from the Christmas Story
7:00 pm, Sat 20 December 2025
St Magnus the Martyr, City of London
Carols and readings from the perspective of known and lesser-known characters of the Christmas story. Wine on arrival included in ticket price.
Guaranteed to be Christmassy as all heck. The most joyful evening of your December or your money back!
Guest conductor – Charlie Perry.
Like a supermarket “Christmas Dinner” sandwich, cramming the delights of a full festive lunch into every bite … so wonderfully enjoyable I didn’t want it to end.
Arts Desk, Christmas Concert review (2018)
Programme
Traditional carols in new arrangments – plus close harmony songs and spirituals – from the perspective of known and lesser-known characters of the Christmas story. Feauring music and arrangements by John Rutter, Paul Mealor, Moses Hogan, Arvo Pärt, Sarah Cattley and others to be announced.
Video: Herbert Howells’ setting of the anonymous fifteenth-century poem ‘A Spotless Rose’, a symbol of the Virgin Mary and fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Filmed Dec 2020 by Ben Tomlin Productions.
Drinks and carols on arrival
Arrive from 6:45, pick up a glass of (hopefully mulled) wine and enjoy carols and popular songs – participation encouraged – being sung by whoever in the choir is ready to go ahead of the performance!
The performance itself will begin shortly after 7pm and run for about 1 hour without an interval. Drinks and informal carols will continue after the show.
Getting there
Nearest station: Monument or London Bridge