There is something about seeing a selection of songs from classic musical theatre productions performed live that really brings out a good crowd. Maybe it’s because they get to hear The World’s Most Popular Musicals all in one go, or maybe it’s because only the best songs from the best musicals are performed.
Well, whatever it is that has the Festival Theatre bursting at the seams, The Westenders, a group of six very talented performers, who met while working on Les Miserables in London, deliver the goods – time and time again.
Backed by four hugely talented musicians, including Musical Director Jae Alexander – fresh from his stint as MD on 42nd Street in the West End – the six vocalists perform some of the best-loved songs from the biggest shows that have graced the West End stages.
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, quite rightly, features heavily with songs and medleys from Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Cats. There are also numbers from Miss Saigon, The Lion King, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Oliver!, Hamilton and Mamma Mia – to name but a few.
Les Miserables also featured heavily, reflecting the special place that the musical holds in all of their hearts. They point out that it is a musical about “triumph over adversity”. This was something they felt to be appropriate at a time of such huge political uncertainty.
The production is tight, well rehearsed and professionally performed with all six singers (Linda Jarvis, Jill Nalder, Francis Fry, Stephen Weller, Jon Osbaldeston and Adrian Grove) chatting between songs and introducing each others big numbers.
Overall, a well produced and professionally delivered stroll through the theatrical masterpieces that have us all singing along, as we watch the beautiful sunset over the stunning grounds of Hever Castle.
**** Four Stars