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A trio of superb singers perform a medley of songs from classic musicals in an intimate cabaret-style setting.Summary
Rating
Excellent
Upstairs at a little wine bar not far from Bond Street station, the small audience are wearing a mix of smart-casual, actual smart and positively glam. Some of the women have made an effort too. We’re here for a cosy evening of song courtesy of seasoned musicals performer Daniel Koek and some of his industry chums.
Accompanied by brilliant pianist Ollie (sporting a wooden bow tie but bereft of a credit in the publicity, so I can’t tell you his full name) on a tiny stage, nobody in the audience is more than a few yards from the action as Dan, along with Rob Houchen and Kerry Ellis, takes us through three acts of songs from classic musicals. It’s certainly an up-close experience, and the performances of all four are exquisite.
The show starts with Rob and Dan duetting on “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, which immediately sets the tone for the evening: exceptionally accomplished singing along with some easy banter between all three singers – sometimes even mid-song.
Staying with Les Mis, Rob gives a solo performance of “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” very much inhabiting the role (as he should – he’s played Marius in the West End production) before Dan joins him for a duet of “Maria” from West Side Story.
It’s time for Kerry Ellis to take to the stage, which she does after a little struggle to find her way through the audience. Her’s is probably the biggest name on the bill, but she has a very easy presence and fits in perfectly with the convivial tone of the evening. But her delivery of “Memory” from Cats is anything but casual – her timbre and control are astonishingly accomplished, and she breathes exciting new life into the old favourite.
Next up is Dan singing “Gethsemane” from Jesus Christ Superstar, which Kerry accurately remarks is “a big song for a very small room” before she lifts the mood with “Somebody To Love” from We Will Rock You, continuing with “Who Wants to Live Forever” from the same show, with Dan sharing vocal duties. A Queen triple bill is completed by Rob singing “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.
As you can probably tell, the set list is tilted firmly towards ballads and torch songs, which as it happens is my own preference, so I was in my element. One of my most-loved songs is “Anthem” from Chess, which almost had me in tears by its second bar. This is a fantastically emotive song when sung solo, but the intensity was magnified by the harmonies as Dan and Rob sang it together.
A late highlight is Kerry singing “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Here the vocalist gives a masterclass in control as she takes command of the melody with astonishing poise.
Before giving us a slowed down arrangement of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”, Rob explains his preference for “performing” songs rather than simply performing them. I think it’s true that all three singers give heartfelt accounts of the songs, though perhaps Rob is alone in not adjusting the size of his performance to fit the tiny venue.
West End Sessions is due to be a monthly fixture, with ticket prices starting at £35 a head. That’s nothing compared to the price of a West End show these days, and you’re unlikely to physically get any closer to stars of this calibre.
