Mild-mannered finance worker Nicholas Bryant, 33, appeared on Britain’s Got Talent as just a man with a piano, but there was more to his audition than met the eye. Starting with Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” Bryant was soon joined by a surprise violinist on stage. As the performance unfolded, it escalated dramatically: a conductor appeared, leading a full brass section that emerged from the audience. The spectacle continued to grow with a string section joining in, followed by a choir singing from the mezzanine above.
Just when it seemed the stage couldn’t hold any more, an electric guitarist appeared, delivering fiery solos reminiscent of Brian May. The entire arrangement was orchestrated by The Collaborative Orchestra, a London-based performance group that had cleverly surprised both judges and audience alike. Their rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now” not only showcased their musical prowess but also their knack for theatrical surprises.
Viewers at home were ecstatic, flooding comments with praise like “The coolest audition ever! These flash mob type things always give me goosebumps” and “Absolutely fabulous! That was a golden buzzer performance.” The orchestra’s high-energy conductor became a fan favorite, adding to the excitement of the performance.
The Collaborative Orchestra’s audition became a viral sensation on YouTube, amassing 28.7 million views and solidifying its place as one of the most memorable group acts in Britain’s Got Talent history. Judges raved about the performance, with Alesha Dixon declaring it “brilliantly put together” and securing a unanimous vote to advance to the semifinals.