From Broadway to West End

Published on October 5, 2009 by Carol M Creasey in Theatre
From Broadway to West End

What an amazing evening with the cream of Theatreland performing for charity.

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I was very lucky to attend this show last night. It was a one off charity concert, with the proceeds going to  CLIC Sargent to help the families of children with cancer. This wonderful charity offers them all round care and support.

It is the first time I have sat in the balcony, but have to say I had a very good view of the performers, as most tend to look up when they perform.

The evening commenced with a Musical tribute to William David Brohn, and then the show started with a cheeky rendition of “Wouldn’t it be Loverly”, from My Fair Lady  by Robyn North. Anthony Andrews then sang  tenderly ” I’ve grown accustomed to her face.

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There are too many performances to mention indvidually, but we heard music from Oklahoma, Showboat to mention a few, even Mary Poppins, in which George Stiles and Anthony Drew dressed  up as children whilst Caroline Sheen sang to them. It was great fun to watch.

Joanna Riding sang ” What’s the Use of Wondering?” from Carousel, and I found her performance particularly captivating. It is a song which she sings very simply, and yet it sounded so sincere, I just loved her version of it.

There is no question about the highlight of the evening for me, and I had to wait until the very end for it, but then they always keep the best until last. Suddenly two figures appeared from the side of the stage singing  “The last Night of the World.”  from Miss Saigon. The young girl was beautiful, dressed in a flame red dress, and the young man, such an  adonis was impeccably attired. It wasn’t just the blending of 2 beautiful voices, it was their expressions and acting that totally convinced me,  during that song, they were two young lovers. They took me into a world of make believe, of passion and romance, and also of heartbreak, and I came out the other side with  tears in my eyes.

I looked on my programme, and noted that they were Ima Castro and Gareth Gates, and then we were in for another treat. Gareth sang ” Why God Why” for his second song, and even from my high position, I could see the emotion in his eyes, and etched on his face, as he put everything into his performance. Having already seen Gareth in Joseph, I have to say that why he stands out for me as a performer as being so special is because he doesn’t just sing his songs, he acts them. He takes you with him, and captures your heart, and that is the mark of a true professional.

Gareth has the purest and most sincere singing voice I have ever heard. I didn’t think he could sound any better, but last night his voice was the very best I have ever heard. He just goes on getting better and better. My only wish is that they would bring back Miss Saigon, and put him  in it, so I could go on enjoying his unique sound.

To sum it all up, it was the most wonderful selection of Musical theatre  songs last night, the theatre was full to bursting, so I would like to say thank you to all the stars for entertaining us so beautifully, and I hope they raised loads and loads of money for this caring charity.

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13 Comments

Khelda, posted this comment on Oct 6th, 2009

Great review of what sounds like a great night. Thanks for taking the time to do this. :)
I have heard Gareth Gates sing before and totally agree about his fantastic voice.

Sophie, posted this comment on Oct 6th, 2009

I was there last night, and totally agree about Gareth Gates. Although I was not a fan of him in the past, he just blew me away. I now intend to go and see him in Les Mis!

Colleen, posted this comment on Oct 7th, 2009

This description fills me with envy. I wish I had been there, as I always liked Gareth gates when he was in Pop Idol and Dancing on Ice.

Maureen, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

Thankyou for such a wonderful review.I found the whole show just enchanting.The music, the beautiful voices even the humour of Styles and Drewe as they did their bit in the Mary Poppins sequence.
I think the most emotional part of the show for me, was when Gareth Gates and Ima Castro took to the stage to sing their duet from Miss Saigon then Gareth’s beautiful rendition of Why God, Why? My Hubby and i were just knocked out by his performance.He’s come along way since Pop Idol

The whole show just oozed ‘Class’

sylvia, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

Thanks for this great review,i am only sorry i wasent there to see it.Sounded like a fantastic evening.Gareth Gates sounds like he did a great job.I must see him in Les Mis

sarahjane, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

great review and i also agree for me i liked the man singing dance with the devil and mary poppins with stiles and drewe them two so funny them my handsome lovable gareth his voice was amazing took my breath away so much emotion in the song he was brilliant.love sarahjane xxx

Vera Plows, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

Thank you for such a great review,the whole show was amazing,Gareth has gone from pop idol to real class,I just filled with emotion when he sung those two beautiful songs,he puts so much into whatever he sings,such a wonderful voice,he was a true star,the audiance loved him and I felt so proud of him.
How you explaned the show was wonderful,and for me Gareth Gates stole the show he was marvellous.I was so pleased to be there for him
Love VERA XXX.

Maria, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

Thank you for this carol,you have a great way of expressing your feelings,i have to agree with everything you said,it was such a brilliant show and gareth was just amazing,theres never a time he doesnt completely blow me away,it was great to see so many come together for this event
love maria xxx

Hayley, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

A Great review wish i was there but heard it was a fantastic show like everything Gareth is in.His voice captures my heart always and ive heard his songs in this performance and they are amazing,love Hayleyx

Elaine, posted this comment on Oct 10th, 2009

Thank you for this fantastic review of Broadway to WestEnd
I was there and it was a night to remember with songs from all the most popular musicals, all classics.
The highlight for the evening for me though was Gareth Gates singing the two very emotional songs from Miss Saigon like a true proffessional. The Duet with Ima Castro tore at the heart stings and Why God Why, even though I have never heard either of these songs before. Made me wish I had seen Miss Saigon, well I would have if Gareth had starred in it.

ANN HARRIS, posted this comment on Oct 11th, 2009

THANK YOU CAROL FOR YOUR BRILLIANT REVIEW OF THE SHOW. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID AS I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE THERE TO WITNESS THE MOST STUNNING AND CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCE FROM GARETH THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. I ONLY WISH IT WASN’T A ONE-OFF SHOW SO I COULD HAVE SEEN IT AGAIN. GARETH IS ON A LEVEL NOW WITH SOME OF THE BEST MUSICAL SINGERS IN THE WORLD AND I JUST CAN’T WAIT NOW TO SEE HIM AS MARIUS IN LES MISERABLES

Isabel, posted this comment on Oct 11th, 2009

I was at this show, and have to agree, that contrary to what I expected, Gareth Gates performed beautifully! I thought he was a Pop Star who would fade away, but he has genuine talent and stage presence. I now hear he is in the tour for Les Miserables, so I will be going to see him in that.

June, posted this comment on Oct 11th, 2009

Thank you for a great review for what sounds like a fantastic show. I wish, I had been able to attend, you explain it all so beautifully. So Gareth Gates stole the show when he sang Why God Why, why doesn’t that surprise me,earlier this year I saw him in Joseph and he was amazing.

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