Rating: ★★
Venue: Richmond Theatre, London
Cast: Roy Locke and Lisa Jane Kelsey
Experience the grandeur of Broadway as the EMTO serenades you with unforgettable showtunes in Some Enchanted Evening - the critically acclaimed 2024 Manchester hit. Featuring iconic songs like I Could Have Danced All Night, People Will Say We’re in Love, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Getting to Know You, and My Favourite Things.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the enchanted evening I hoped for. While the 26 piece orchestra and two solo artists were incredibly talented, it just lacked the charm and whimsy I wanted to feel.
One of the strongest points of the evening was the conductor, Gregor Reid, who was not just engaging with the audience, but also humorous, and extremely knowledgeable with musical theatre. Reid spoke so passionately throughout the course of the evening, and provided the enchantment the rest of the evening was lacking.
The second act of the concert was far stronger than the first. While Oklahoma was one of the main focal points of the evening, it also highlighted other Rodgers & Hammerstein classics such as The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Carousel, The King and I, Flower Drum Song and Allegro.
While Lisa Jane Kelsey and Roy Locke's solo performances were brilliant, they didn't vocally work well together during the duets and it felt as though Locke was constantly trying to overpower Kelsey. Kelsey's performance of "You'll Never Walk Alone" was the standout of the evening and she wowed in her costume changes throughout the evening.
Singing along was encouraged during certain parts of the evening and while the songs chosen for this weren't the most popular Rodgers & Hammerstein numbers, it was lovely to hear some of the audience singing along.
The 26 piece orchestra was absolutely stunning and it's always a joy to see so many talented musicians seated together on stage, all receiving their own time to shine in the spotlight throughout the course of the evening.
If you're a fan of these legendary composers, the concert showcases their timeless classics well, but the evening was simply lacking the old school flair and charm it needed.
You can book tickets to Some Enchanted Evening, here.
Review by Sarah
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