Theatre Visits: April - June 2009

Posted on July 11th, 2009 by bryan.
Categories: Theatre.

I’ve been neglecting this site again.  I would apologise, but I suspect that I’m the only reader!

However, I have updated the Theatre Visits page.  It was a slow start to the year, but I’ve now notched-up four visits in two months to the Royal Albert Hall, as well as a night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre.

Classic FM Live - 16 April **** (Royal Albert Hall)

Cassic FM’s very own Simon Bates compered a great evening.  The programme was wide-ranging and, reflecting the audience, ‘popular’.  And I don’t mean that in a snooty, bad way.  Soloist Faryl Smith (formerly of Britain’s Got Talent) was excellent - Ave Maria and Amazing Grace, sung with an innocence that only a 13-year-old could manage.  We were expecting a rendition of Concierto de Aranjuez by the maestro John Williams, but unfortunately he was taken ill at short notice.  However, his ‘under-study’ (whose name I forget) was a worthy replacement, helping me to realise that the guitar actually is an incredibly difficult and (when played well) beautiful instrument.  The London Chamber Orchestra demonstrated its talent throughout, but I remember especially Prokofiev’s ‘Montagues and Capulets’ from Romeo and Juliet and of course Strauss’ The Blue Danube Waltz - one of my all time favourites!

Various Voices: Voices of Our City - 1 May *** (Queen Elizabeth Hall)

London hosted for a long weekend Various Voices, a series of performances show-casing the wealth of talent in the worldwide gay and lesbian choral community: 60 gay and lesbian choirs from 14 countries; 2,000 singers; 50 concerts; 96 hours; and, no doubt, lots of ‘fun’!  The London Gay Men’s Chorus (including my partner) performed a number of traditional and commissioned London-themed pieces, easily over-shadowing their fellow choirs - Pink Singers and Diversity - both with their presence on stage and the power of their voices.  I’m not the biggest fan of ‘gay’ events / clubs / etc, but this was a great demonstration of talent by a community that really is no less nor more diverse than any other.

RPO Presents Filmharmonic - 8 May **** (Royal Albert Hall)

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a celebration of film music, featuring classics from the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’, together with the latest Box Office blockbusters.  OK, I stole that direct from the programme, but it sums-up exactly what the night was about.  We heard themes from all genre: Star Wars and Mission: Impossible (futuristic); Chariots of Fire and Out of Africa (very ‘Empire’); Gladiator and The Lord of the Rings (epic); and Dynasty and LA Law (very nostalgic).  It was also a reminder that really crap films can (almost) be saved by great compositions - Lesbian Vampire Killers being a prime example!

John Barrowman plus Special Guests - 1 June **** (Royal Albert Hall)

This was an outstanding performance by John Barrowman.  Unfortunately, the (very expensive) programme does not record for my failing memory what he sang, but needless to say it was top quality.  His range of songs was impressive, and he spoke openly and emotively with the audience.  I remember in particular stories about his childhood, parents, long-term partner and … dogs, lots of family dogs!  And, of course, he sang what is quickly becoming his song - I Am what I Am (from La Cage aux Folles).  There was also a special guest appearance by Daniel Boys, formerly of the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do and now appearing in the West End’s Avenue Q.  He has recently launched his debut album, and personally I hope that we will be seeing lots more of him!

The King and I - 21 June **** (Royal Albert Hall)

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic, staged in the round of the Royal Albert Hall and featuring the hugely talented (and expertly casted) Maria Friedman as Anna Leonowens.  Well-loved songs, a strong supporting cast and orchestra matched by an equally impressive set and venue, and a bottle of wine.  There is nothing more to say.

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