Why Sing A Longs Are Good For The Soul
Sing like nobody is listening. Isn’t that the old adage? But imagine being surrounded by people and asked to sing; louder and with more passion than you have ever done before. The premise is utterly terrifying, almost as if you were suddenly stripped nude and paraded around for people’s judgement. So many people have been made a mockery of by their singing talent. If I asked you now to sing in front of a bunch of people, you’d probably laugh me out of the room and close the door shaking your head, mumbling “I don’t sing.”
But musicals would have you believe otherwise, that bleating out a tune is the best form of expression. It’s true, it’s soothing and that is why so many of us sing in the shower or the car. It brightens our mood, puts a spring in our step and smiles on our faces for the rest of the day. So why can’t you transfer this secret happiness to public? Well, you can… and without fear and judgement too. Add a brilliantly feel good musical to the mix and you have entered the epic world of the Sing-Along.
Sing-alongs are a permanent feature at The Prince Charles Cinema and are always received lovingly. Just ask those who enjoyed the festive sessions such as Muppet Christmas Carol or The Nightmare before Christmas over the holidays. Musicals, unless they are super depressing like some of them are (I’m looking at you Dancer in the Dark), touch a merry part of us. They add delight to our days with songs of love, dreams and escape from our dreary worlds. The problem is we aren’t a part of it. But with sing-alongs we enter the world of musicals and become part of the enjoyment. That brilliant ballad is much more than just an exhibition. It’s now yours. Own it. You are Barbra, you are a diva and nothing is going to rain on your parade.
There is no need for vocal talent at a sing along. Simon Cowell isn’t going to leap over the chair, push a bright red button and eject you from the cinema because your pitch isn’t right. No one is listening because they are just too immersed in bellowing out all the words to “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria.” And funnily enough, if you turn your head to the person singing next to you, you’ll see the same silly grin that everyone gets from singing, happily, all the words of Spice World: The Movie. You catch their eye, they don’t shy away and at last you have a comrade in your jolly sing song. Wouldn’t you know, you just might sing louder knowing you aren’t alone in your passion for musicals and singing? In fact, you will shed a lot of your shyness and feel connected with your fellow chorus. Appealing to everyone, it is cheesy, feel-good fun.
Sing-alongs shatter a number one rule of mine that cinemas are pretty bad first (emphasis on first) dates. It breaks the nerves and tension and you might just find a mutual love. Because life’s a happy song and in a musical nothing bad ever happens. So join in to the furore that is a sing-along and warm your cockles during these cold winter months.