Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Cadogan Hall, London
Cast: Hadley Fraser, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Natalie May Paris and Rosalie Craig
For one night only, acclaimed West End and Broadway star Hadley Fraser takes centre stage at Cadogan Hall for his first-ever solo concert, celebrating the launch of his highly anticipated new album, Things That Come and Go.
Known for his unforgettable performances in Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, City of Angels and Young Frankenstein, Hadley brings his signature voice and storytelling prowess to this special evening.
“Better late than never” as they always say. Hadley Fraser’s album ‘Things That Come And Go’ was released back in February, but it wasn’t until June that Cadogan Hall hosted the one-night-only concert/album launch, promising a jazzy, mellow and joyous night. Hadley did not disappoint.
Supported by collaborator and MD Sam Young, guitarist Nick Fitch, a band and a string quartet, Hadley was clearly proud to share the stage with these talented musicians. He introduced them all individually at the top of the show and constantly highlighted and celebrated their artistry throughout the show.
Hadley possesses an infectious magnetism - he could simply read the back of a bag of crisps and enchant the room. His voice is grounded, smooth, and controlled, and he performs with a nonchalant ease. The entire setlist was packed with hypnotic melodies and rich harmonies, creating mesmerising music you can easily get lost in.
Hadley himself refers to curating a setlist as a ‘revolving door’, and Hadley presented a night of reimagined classics, original songs and musical theatre gems. From a fresh take on the Beatles' ‘Here Comes The Sun’ to Frank Sinatra’s ‘In The Wee Small Hours', Hadley gave them a contemporary twist.
There were also nods to his musical theatre background. A fun rendition of the titular song from Sondheim’s ‘Anybody Can Whistle’ to a tender duet version of ‘She Used To Be Mine’ from ‘Waitress’, performed with Natalie May Paris (original Jane Seymour in SIX) was a highlight. Natalie performed a beautiful solo of ‘Waiting On A Wish’ from Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White (2025), in which Hadley played the Good King (Snow White’s father). The film received mixed reception (to put it kindly), but Natalie was able to reclaim the magic in the room.
Hadley also teamed up with original Catherine Parr from SIX, Maiya Quansah-Breed, for an energetic ‘How Are You Fixed For Love’; they oozed swagger. Another spotlight moment was Hadley’s touching duet with fellow actor and wife, Rosalie Craig, in ‘On Constellation Street’. A particularly moving moment occurred when Hadley forgot the lyrics, and Rosalie stepped in to help - offering the words and a comforting touch. It was a truly human moment that touched everyone watching.
The special guests elevated the evening but Fraser's charm held it all together. One of the many beautiful things about seeing a performer host a concert is their ability to let their personality shine through, where audiences would be used to seeing them behind a character. In between songs, Hadley shared rather poetic musings - the beautiful fact that birds sing so low that they must be singing only for themselves or the origin of the word ‘honeymoon’.
Some concerts take the approach of the performers singing at you. But this concert brought a welcome touch of intimacy and interaction. Hadley would talk back when the audience called out to him, or even when they didn’t, resulting in hilarious light-hearted moments in a setlist that focused on longing and loss. One highlight came at the top of Act Two, where Hadley split the audience into three vocal groups, teaching each a section for a singalong.
As with any live performance, mishaps may occur - a malfunctioning mic stand, a guitar needing to be re-tuned after beginning the song or forgetting the lyrics; Hadley handled it all with humour and grace. The imperfections only added to his charm, reminding the audience this is truly a human experience happening before our own eyes.
For Hadley’s family, it was a milestone night: it marked the first time his and Rosalie's daughter would see her parents perform together on stage. From the back of the stalls, she shouted out to them in support and melted the hearts of all in the audience.
Hadley shared that the inspiration for the album sprang from a bigger project that has yet to see the light. In a Stage to Page interview, he hinted at a book he loves beyond measure that he would one day love to adapt to the stage, and of course wouldn’t spill the beans on record on what it could be. He described he would love to do something ‘mind-bending’ and something that might not feel like it belongs on the stage, hinting at that truly unique and daring artist that he is.
Hadley truly is one to watch (and listen to). You can stream his album ‘Things That Come And Go’ here, and keep an eye out for whatever he does next. If this concert is anything to come by, it will certainly be worth the wait.
Review by Jude
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