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City of Stars

9 Nov, 2025

Local musical theatre choir featured in Marks & Spencer’s nationwide Christmas campaign

Brighton, Sussex – City of Stars, a Sussex-based musical theatre choir, is thrilled to announce that several of its talented members have been featured in this year’s Marks and Spencer’s Christmas advertising campaign, running across television, digital platforms, and in‑store displays throughout the United Kingdom from today.

Musical director and founder of City of Stars, Candi Underwood, said: “Being part of such a beloved national campaign is a dream come true for us. As a small, independent choir, it’s been such a fantastic experience to showcase the talent in our community and this opportunity really highlights the power of music to bring people together. One of our fellow cast members, who we met on set and happens to live in Brighton, has even decided to join our Kemptown choir!”

Recorded at Warner Bros. Studios in early September, the campaign showcases City of Stars having a comedic moment with national treasure Dawn French, before they join the party all aboard the Marks & Spencer’s food truck. The ad will be accompanied by a cheerful social media campaign featuring traditional Christmas carols with a foodie twist, with beautiful arrangements created especially for the occasion. The choir were also invited to celebrate the ad release at M&S HQ on 3rd November, singing in the staff with Christmas classics.

You can view the ad in full here [City of Stars feature at 01:02] and social content will be out in the run up to Christmas.

About City of Stars

Founded in 2021, City of Stars are Sussex’s only intermediate musical theatre choir, covering exciting repertoire from both legitimate and contemporary musicals. Led by professional coaches & performers and accompanied by West End Musical Directors, City of Stars offers regular rehearsals, hands-on workshops, and varied performance opportunities, fostering artistic growth and community engagement.

City of Stars were represented by local Brighton casting agent CBL Management.

City of Stars will be opening its fourth choir at St Andrews High School, Worthing on Wednesday evenings from 7th January 2026. To book a trial, please visit https://cityofstarschoir.co.uk/trial-session.

City of Stars Christmas show is on 11th December at All Saints Hove. This features all 3 choirs and a full band. Tickets available now at: https://festivefeelings.eventbrite.co.uk

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