In 1983, a cabaret performer named Mark Bunyan decided London's gay music scene was missing a choir. When Mark and a few other singers got together for a first rehearsal, they had no idea that they were creating a hope machine that would sing and dance through some of the greatest challenges in LGBTQ+ history.

This is Sing It Pink!, the touching story of the Pink Singers, London and Europe's oldest LGBTQ+ choir, told through the people who sang for freedom. With archive recordings of pivotal rehearsals, touching stories from choir members from over 40 years, and intimate sound design, Sing It Pink! is a landmark documentary series and a piece of essential queer history.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s 1983, and Mark Bunyan is making a splash on the cabaret scene in London. Inspired by gay activist Brian Kennedy, Mark advertises for singers who want to join an LGBTQ+ choir. But it’s a time of homophobia and shame, so will anyone turn up to the first rehearsal?

In this episode, Cassian Fagilde, one of today's youngest Pink Singers, looks back at the choir’s origin story: how did an LGBTQ+ activist and a cabaret performer make a choir that has survived for 40 years? Who were the folks who turned up to that first rehearsal? And how has the choir changed?

Sing it Pink! is an Aunt Nell production for the Pink Singers. You can find out more about the Pink Singers at https://www.pinksingers.co.uk/ or follow them on Instagram or X @pinksingers.

The theme music was composed by Simon Pearson with lyrics by Jaie Monroe. The artwork was by Fredde Lanka.

Produced by Rachel Byrne

Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade

Executive producers for Aunt Nell: Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

Executive producer for The Pink Singers: Chris Scales

Audio mix by David Pye

Special thanks to ALL the Pink Singers past and present, Laura Owen, Emily Barber from Creators Counsel, Acast studios, the Bishopsgate Institute and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pink Singers are taking off, performing, partying and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. But soon they are hit by one of the greatest threats to LGBTQ+ people: the AIDS crisis.

In this episode, Philip Rescorla, one of the choir’s oldest members, remembers how the choir experienced HIV, through the hospice visits, the friends he lost, and the songs that lifted their spirits even in the darkest days.

Sing it Pink! is an Aunt Nell production for the Pink Singers. You can find out more about the Pink Singers at https://www.pinksingers.co.uk/ or follow them on Instagram or X @pinksingers.

The theme music was composed by Simon Pearson with lyrics by Jaie Monroe. The artwork was by Fredde Lanka.

Produced by Rachel Byrne

Assistant producer: Marnie Woodmeade

Executive producers for Aunt Nell: Tash Walker and Adam Zmith

Executive producer for The Pink Singers: Chris Scales

Audio mix by David Pye

Special thanks to ALL the Pink Singers past and present, Laura Owen, Emily Barber from Creators Counsel, Acast studios, the Bishopsgate Institute and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.