Towards the end of an extensive tour of NSW and prior to touring Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria before moving on to New Zealand, The World of Musicals presented its only ACT performance to an enthusiastic capacity audience in the Canberra Theatre.
Offering an equally fast-moving musical tour through the hit-songs of no fewer than 23 popular musicals, and performed by an ensemble cast of 12 hard-working British performers, six women and six men, the show featured choreographed ensemble items, together with solos, duets, trios and quartets which follow each other in rapid succession, most enhanced by projected screen images and colourful lighting design.
Performing to good quality pre-recorded backing tracks, the show was at its best with the well-sung, excellently arranged vocal ensemble numbers, particularly the opening Bohemian Rhapsody from We Will Rock You; Where Eagles Fly from On Eagles Wing and a particularly moving rendition of I Still Call Australia Home from The Boy From Oz.
Other highlights included a lovely rendition of What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line; a cheeky presentation of Mein Herr from Cabaret, both items performed by members of the ladies ensemble, and a tightly choreographed medley of songs from Jersey Boys, performed by four of the male ensemble.
While the recorded backing tracks worked fine for the ensemble numbers, they tended to expose the soloists as excellent ensemble singers but not really up to the demands of the big solo numbers, so that when deprived by the arrangements of very little room for individual nuance, tended to compensate with over-dramatic, contrived emoting.
One exception however, and the vocal highlight of the night, was Jack Trinder’s passionate rendition of Maria from West Side Story, which drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
A major disappointment with this show however was the costuming which appeared to have been assembled from various sources with little attention to fit or appropriateness. It is an area which took the gloss off an otherwise well-presented show and one which hopefully will be given more attention for future return visits promised by the amiable host and co-producer, Ciaran Olohan.
The World of Musicals In Concert
Canberra Theatre – Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, Canberra
Performance: Sunday 22 May 2022
The World of Musicals continues its tour across New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. For more information, including performance dates and venues, visit: www.theworldofmusicals.com for details.
Image: The World of Musicals (supplied)
Review: Bill Stephens OAM