(seen at the evening performance on 29th May 2022)
Sometimes the monkey is grateful that it lives somewhere it can access live entertainment easily when TV schedulers do their worst. This was one of those evenings, and it was worth the effort. In fact, a front row seat for £22 turned out to be something of a bargain.
A fifteen-piece orchestra, the GSA Singers (so much better than Mountview ran the joke), young StageBox Musical Theatre and the Urdang Acadamey Dancers combined with 8 West End stars and Matt Lucas (who looked and sounded more like Luke Kempner, unless Matt is a very good impressionist) to run through a selection of Hollywood movie hits linked by some amusing – and occasionally pretty filthy – banter.
Wittily opening with the Paramount Pictures theme as part of the overture, last-minute replacement host Luke Kempner showed off a remarkable Boris impression before launching into the show by introducing Oliver Thompsett singing “The Power Of Love” from “Back To The Future” (all titles and movie posters helpfully projected on the wall of the balcony behind the stage).
A well-chosen and crowd-pleasing opener, Mr Thompsett returned twice more with a seductive “You Know My Name” from “Casino Royale” and an oddly fast-paced “Pure Imagination” from “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. The sugar had a harder edge, lending the song a slightly different angle in the telling.
Sophie Evans channelled pink in a very honest “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) backed by a quartet of concurring dancers. A dreamier “So This Is Love” (Cinderella) showed a softer side, while her career-launching “Over The Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz” opened a magic lane to a better place for us all.
The more left-field selections fell to Rob Houchen. An unexpected but very welcome “California Dreamin’” from “San Andreas” proved a concert highlight early on. Later “The Show Must Go On” (Bohemian Rhapsody) demonstrated real vocal command of a difficult number to deliver solo.
On more familiar turf, “Shallow” and “I’ll Never Love Again” from “A Star Is Born” gave Ora Oduba and Leanne Robinson their act one openers.
John Partridge found the comedy (embarrassing conductor Samuel Wilson) in “Luck Be A Lady” (Guys and Dolls) as the Urdang Dancers flowed around him.
Ms Robinson went on to partner the delightful youngsters of Stagebox for “I Believe” from “Honey”, a troupe who had already pleased us with a charming medley from Disney’s animated feature film “Encanto” and would close the show with a sweet aisle invasion through the stalls.
To jump back a little to the act one closers, Amber Davies gave Bonnie Tyler more than a run for her money with “Holding Out For A Hero” from “Shrek 2” before Shan Ako received rightly a standing ovation as the curtain fell with “I Will Always Love You” from “The Bodyguard.” The only mild annoyance being Luke Kempner’s credit to Whitney Houston when of course it was originally Dolly Parton’s song. Nobody remembers, yet it is a beautiful if seldom-heard version.
Both Ms Ako and Ms Davies shone in the second half. Ako gave us “Joyful, Joyful” from “Sister Act 2,” which sounded even better in the former church that is the Cadogan Hall.
Ms Davies probably bribed the musical director to be handed “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret.” Not the introspective of Jesse Buckley, more Liza Minelli, but confident. Far more her style, “My Heart Will Go On” (Titanic) was proud and original, an emotional tidal wave.
Mention must go to the supporting singers. GSA Choir were given the opportunity to open act two with “Double Trouble” from “Harry Potter” and they made their toil look no trouble at all.
Solo, and apparently a winner of a “search for a star” contest, Joely Colleen Emms gave us “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” from “Armageddon.” That Ms Emms didn’t seem out-of-place among the other experienced West End performers is all the comment that need be made.
And of course, the headline attraction, Carrie Hope Fletcher. Wearing her best Emma Stone look, and paired with Rob Houchen, “City of Stars” from “La La Land” confirmed the presence of two on the stage. Alone, “As Long As He Needs Me” from “Oliver” earned Ms Hope Fletcher the second standing ovation of the evening, and had the monkey both glad it has a seat for her solo concert next year and hoping that she might repeat the number in her show then.
With slick production, well-selected songs balancing the familiar with a few lesser known tunes showing off the various artistes skills, linked by a genial host and backed by well-chosen vocalists, dancers and musicians, it is little wonder “West End Does” (soon to be re-branded “Chorus”) have a loyal following for their one-off productions.
Certainly the monkey will be attending one of their future shows (and if they could shift the Christmas one to the 4th it would be grateful). A well-conceived programme delivered with panache, and a showcase for present and future talent, this is what Sunday night entertainment is about. Can somebody tell the TV companies, please?
4 stars (and a standing ovation for Ms Hope Fletcher for "As Long As He Needs Me.")