PRODUCTION TEAM
John Steel, Musical Director

John was born in London and studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and with Roy Henderson. He made his debut in opera for Sadlers Wells Opera Company (now English National) in Malcolm Williamson's "Our Man in Havana" and went on to sing at Glyndebourne and at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden.- He has sung in concerts and oratotio throughout the British Isles and overseas, and in London has sung as tenor soloist at the Royal Festival and Queen Elizabeth Halls and given recitals at the Wigmore Hall and the Purcell Room on the South Bank. His recordings include a recital of English Songs and as the tenor soloist in the recording of Anton Bruckner's "Requiem" with the London Philharmonic Orchestra which received the award of "outstanding recording of the year" by the Gramophone. John Steel teaches privately and conducts a variety of music with choirs in the local area, including the Christopher Singers, which he formed in 1991.
Neil Shrimpton, Bandmaster/Accompanist

Neil’s association with the Christopher Singers began in 1997 & he has been the regular piano accompanist for all of their concerts & shows ever since.
A graduate from the London College of Music, Neil is a full-time professional musician.
Principally, a peripatetic piano teacher for Surrey Arts, he also enjoys a very busy career as a Musical Director for a number of local amateur theatrical/operatic groups, having worked on well over 50 different productions from the ‘classic’ musicals such as “My Fair Lady” and “Oklahoma” etc, to the more modern rock musicals of “We Will Rock You” & “Return to the Forbidden Planet” as well as countless Panto’s & Reviews, for which he also arranges & orchestrates the music.
Neil is also Musical Director & Choirmaster for the internationally renowned “Voice in a Million” Choir, set up to promote adoption & fostering through large-scale arena concerts across the UK. The 2011 concert at the O2 Arena in London saw a choir of over 7,500 young voices – officially recognized as the ‘worlds largest children’s choir!’ – and the choir has gained the support of a number of high-profile people (Elton John, Simon Cowell, Rick Wakeman for example) within the music industry. The choir’s Academy, which provides most of the lead performers for the concerts, has also performed with rock groups “Yes” & “Foreigner” (the latter at a major rock festival in front of an estimated 40,000 people) and has produced a UK top 30 selling album, “Smile”, with proceeds donated to the British Forces Foundation.
A graduate from the London College of Music, Neil is a full-time professional musician.
Principally, a peripatetic piano teacher for Surrey Arts, he also enjoys a very busy career as a Musical Director for a number of local amateur theatrical/operatic groups, having worked on well over 50 different productions from the ‘classic’ musicals such as “My Fair Lady” and “Oklahoma” etc, to the more modern rock musicals of “We Will Rock You” & “Return to the Forbidden Planet” as well as countless Panto’s & Reviews, for which he also arranges & orchestrates the music.
Neil is also Musical Director & Choirmaster for the internationally renowned “Voice in a Million” Choir, set up to promote adoption & fostering through large-scale arena concerts across the UK. The 2011 concert at the O2 Arena in London saw a choir of over 7,500 young voices – officially recognized as the ‘worlds largest children’s choir!’ – and the choir has gained the support of a number of high-profile people (Elton John, Simon Cowell, Rick Wakeman for example) within the music industry. The choir’s Academy, which provides most of the lead performers for the concerts, has also performed with rock groups “Yes” & “Foreigner” (the latter at a major rock festival in front of an estimated 40,000 people) and has produced a UK top 30 selling album, “Smile”, with proceeds donated to the British Forces Foundation.
Patricia Dale, Stage Director
Patricia joined us in 2018 as Stage Director of our Annual Pantomime, entitled Alice, the Pantomime. It was a resounding success with sell out performances. The Company enjoyed working with Patricia and invited her to Stage Direct Love - The Impossible Dream. She has a remarkable talent and we are so pleased that she accepted the role. Patricia also works with Worcester Park Dramatic Society.
Patricia joined us in 2018 as Stage Director of our Annual Pantomime, entitled Alice, the Pantomime. It was a resounding success with sell out performances. The Company enjoyed working with Patricia and invited her to Stage Direct Love - The Impossible Dream. She has a remarkable talent and we are so pleased that she accepted the role. Patricia also works with Worcester Park Dramatic Society.
CHRISTOPHER SINGERS CAST
Judy Abbott
Gillian Davies Margaret Foster Brenda Manuel-Warner Diane Masters Denise Mayne Lynda Mitchell Maureen Phillips Susan Steel |
John Beavis
Sidney Dolbear |
CHRISTOPHER SINGERS HONORARY MEMBERS
Graham Davies
Tim Mitchell
Billie Smith
Tim Mitchell
Billie Smith