Local choir takes centre stage at Shakespeare’s Globe

Director Adele Thomas approached Borough Market Choir's Musical Director Esmeralda Conde Ruiz, looking for singers to play the Jury. Renowned contemporary composer Mira Calix then composed a vocal part for the Jurors, designed to suit the singers' voices, and rehearsals began.

The Borough singers now appear in the jury scene where they are picked as 'the finest citizens', casting their votes alongside the Goddess Athena to decide Orestes' fate, and lead a procession around the Globe's groundling pit.

"We were approached by the Globe in the summer asking if we would consider taking part in the production," said Renata Adamcova, chair of Borough Market Choir

"Initially, we assumed we would simply be singing a number at the back of the stage as a massed choir.

"Instead, at our first rehearsal with the director, we found that we would be performing as the jury of 11 people who vote on Orestes' fate."

This adaptation of the ancient Greek play focuses on the shift from a belief in the Gods as the arbiters of natural justice to a more civilized society-based concept of justice.

Borough Market Choir was formed 4 years ago with seven market traders and has steadily grown to 55 members, singing all over London at festivals and local events.

The choir rehearses every Thursday evening.

• The Oresteia is at Shakespeare's Globe until Friday 16 October.