Beyond their dazzling musicals and incredible cabaret evenings, the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society (CUMTS) offers yet another musical theatre hidden gem: its beloved bar nights. Held 2-3 times per term, CUMTS bar nights are one-night-only performances by a selection of musical theatre performers, who audition with one song a week prior to the scheduled event. The intimate and welcoming stage of the ADC bar, simply dressed with a standing microphone and an accompanying piano, allows the performer to truly enjoy their performance and share it with a small and accessible audience size. Characterised by their light, supportive atmosphere, bar nights provide the perfect environment for both newcomers and seasoned MT performers to playfully experiment, have fun, and share their passion for musical theatre – free from the pressures of the almighty ADC stage. From Mean Girls, to Wicked, Hamilton and many more, bar night performers will inevitably offer you a night of golden musical theatre repertoire, leaving you laughing, maybe even teary eyed but definitely impressed. Having been both a performer and audience member at CUMTS bar nights, I have come to appreciate just how special – and underrated – these evenings truly are.

“Characterised by their light, supportive atmosphere, bar nights provide the perfect environment for both newcomers and seasoned MT performer”

The varying, intriguing themes assigned to each bar night add a unique touch to the selection of songs showcased each time. Some of my personal favourite themes include “Roles I’d never play”, usually involving performers gender swapping iconic musical theatre characters – think MCC Theater’s annual “Miscast” gala! As well as “Writer and Composer speed dating”, in which student writers and composers of new musical theatre writing are paired to create new songs to be performed for the bar night. By encouraging a light hearted approach to MT performing, the bar nights have led to some truly iconic performance moments. Most memorably, during the bar night themed “Villains” in Lent 2025, former CUMTS social secretary and host for that evening Georgia Greig performed a special wizardly rendition of “The Wizard and I” from the beloved musical Wicked, dressed up as Voldemort with full blown face makeup, bald cap and robes!

As a fresher, I remember being quite intimidated by the brilliant talent of all the CUMTS performers involved in the ADC main musicals, but having had the chance to perform at a bar night in Lent 2025, I quickly realised just how uplifting MT performing can be. In promotion for the Lent 2025 Week 3 musical Sweet Charity, Em Sparkes and I sang our duet from the show ‘Baby Dream your Dream’.

“It was a great way to get into performing in front of people you don’t know, especially when you know they will be supportive”

Stripped from the razzle-dazzle of costumes, lights and choreography was extremely refreshing, as it gave me the opportunity to ease into singing live in a more unfiltered and candid context. I also found that the immediacy with the audience allowed me to momentarily move away from the grand theatricality of stage acting, and rather lean into the subtleties of the song.

And you don’t have to take my word for it! Recent performers Evie Turner and Jacob Coughlan spoke to me a little about their own bar night experiences. Evie mentions: “Bar night is an opportunity for musical theatre performers to share their love of theatre with their friends in a completely informal way. It was a great way to get into performing in front of people you don’t know, especially when you know they will be supportive. I would absolutely recommend it to any theatre lovers, performer or not, as the bar creates such a fun atmosphere to get away from the stress of Cambridge life.” Jacob adds: “The termly bar nights are always such a joy – they’re a low-commitment, low-stress opportunity to get involved with a CUMTS project without the stress of a long show run that lets you meet other musical theatre performers, with a range of Cambridge MT experience.”

You heard it here first! Whether you’re a seasoned thespian or simply looking for a new form of academic escapism next term, the ADC Bar has you covered. Why wouldn’t you want to be in the room where it happens?

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