For devotees of the musical and those who enjoy a good singalong, The Greatest Shows on Earth was a great choice for a balmy Saturday afternoon in Brighton.

Set in the charmingly antique Spiegeltent and hosted by musical intuition, session bassist to the stars and Sussex resident Herbie Flowers, it was always going to be a popular draw. Choir singers from Shoreham-Singers-By-Sea and The Ditchling Orchestra almost outnumbered the audience.

After a quick warm-up the choir rattle through a succession of musical favourites from the likes of Mama Mia, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Grease and South Pacific.

There is endearing amateurishness to the singing but that’s half the point – they are clearly having a fantastic time, and audience participation is actively encouraged with sing sheets.

Consummate raconteur Herbie Flowers keeps up a between-song patter and gently chides audience members who are not getting involved (“If you don’t want to sing just mime – they do it on TV all the time!”).

Musical fans, from young children with parents, up to more elderly appear to having fun.

But you have to love the familiar songs and the music hall tradition to really find this the greatest show on earth.