"The Disturbance in Clerical Attire: Bishop, Caught in a Gown During Church Choir Interruption, Offers Sincere Regrets"
In an unexpected turn of events, a church concert at St Andrew’s Church in Holborn was abruptly halted by Bishop Jonathan Baker. The choir, the City Academy Voices, was performing an A cappella version of ABBA's Dancing Queen to a 300-strong audience, when the bishop, appearing barefoot and in a dressing gown, ordered everyone to leave.
The interruption caught both the choir and the audience off guard. Initially, some thought it was part of the show, but it soon became clear that the bishop was serious. He stopped the performance midstream, denying soloists their chance to perform, and asked the crowd to leave, causing boos from the audience.
Despite being told to leave, the choir sang one last a cappella number of ABBA’s "Dancing Queen," receiving applause from remaining listeners. The choir's performance, however, was cut short, leaving them unable to finish their show as planned.
One audience member, Benedict Collins, expressed his disappointment, stating that he was upset that the choir's work was disparaged and that soloists were prevented from singing. He added that he initially thought the interruption was a staged joke but later criticized how the bishop cut the performance off without warning.
Following the incident, Bishop Baker issued a formal written apology, expressing regret for ending the concert prematurely and for his hasty remarks. He acknowledged misunderstanding the booking arrangements, believing the event had ended earlier than planned. He accepted full responsibility and assured the choir that such an incident would not recur.
The choir responded graciously, saying it was upsetting not to finish but they held no hard feelings and wished the bishop well. They also noted that they rehearse on Mondays in central London.
The specific reason for the interruption and the identity of the individual who declared the concert over were not provided in the article. It is worth noting that dressing gowns are optional for those joining the City Academy Voices.
In summary, the incident arose from a miscommunication about the concert’s timing, leading to the bishop disrupting the event in his dressing gown, which provoked shock and criticism. His subsequent apology sought to repair relations and clarify the misunderstanding.
The bishop's abrupt halt of the concert at St Andrew’s Church, disrupting the City Academy Voices' performance of ABBA’s Dancing Queen, led to heated discussions on social media, with many voiceing their disapproval of the event's interruption. Some users found the incident amusing, criticizing the bishop's entertainment choices, while others expressed sympathy towards the choir, arguing the bishop's actions undermined the artists' hard work and the audience's enjoyment.
