On Broadway

Let me confess I am not a lover of “Songs from the Shows” type productions, however I very much enjoyed this offering as St Pauls did not fall into the all too familiar trap of repeating the standard fare often seen in concerts of this nature.

Director Evelyn Clowes and Musical Director Andrew Peckham served us a menu of melodies which included some familiar and some not so familiar musical treats. The action on stage was smoothly staged and whilst there were times when there might have been an opportunity to have the following group or individuals cross over with the outgoing performers this would be being finicky and may well have been difficult given the small entrances and exits to the stage. The music was excellent and supportive and not at all intrusive on the performers. Congratulation also to Sian James the accompanist.

Having seen a few Les Miserable excerpts, this is the first time I have seen the ”slave song” used; an unusual start which heralded the more usual offerings, however the music from this show is so good that it is always a pleasure to hear it. Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors and the Lion King gave us songs which are not, at least in my experience often provided and were all well done. I particularly liked "Suddenly Seymour" and "Feed me Seymour" which might have been lost somewhat without the context of the show but were not. Loved the “Monster Sign”. Chess gave us the well-known “ I Know Him so Well” with the ladies chorus showing us that the unusual ensemble treatment can work. The first half closed with “Phantom” and I’m sure left the Audience with a feeling that after this great 1st half they shouldn’t miss a second of the rest.

“Chicago” followed the interval, with the “Cell Block Tango” getting us to a great start followed by some of the better known songs from this excellent show.

Apart from "Mr. Cellophane" this featured the ladies but the men were to get their day in the limelight with a contribution from “We Will Rock you” and they did.

The show built to its climax with a further song from Les Miserable, 2 from Miss Saigon, most unusual, 1 from Jesus Christ Superstar and finally a selection from Mamma Mia all of which provided the audience with plenty to cheer about. Abba songs are so well known and popular that the final medley was a great way to end a most enjoyable evening I have not mentioned individual names as everyone on stage did their part in making this a success, well done St Pauls.

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