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The greatest show and other bromances: Adam Riches and John Kearns ARE Ball and Boe @sohotheatre

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Alfie Boe and Michael Ball seem to be a bit of a joke act anyway. Their endless interpretations of popular songs (also known as covers) and their double-act bromance make them quintessential crossover artists where popular music meets opera and Broadway. And a perilous choice for the discerning listener. It’s not that they aren’t talented musicians and performers in their own right. Still, their musical choices are always safe, predictable and less than their potential. But every country deserves to have a pair of self-described national treasures that can tour the local arenas and give people a good time for the bargain price of £175 a seat.  And so the concept of Adam Riches and John Kearns - two world-famous from the Edinburgh Fringe comedians taking on this bromance seems like a curious choice for a Christmas musical fare. One can only hope that over the fourteen nights, it is playing at the Soho Theatre that the show evolves into something more substantial than a series of po...

Sing like nobody’s watching: Songs for Nobodies @WiltonMusicHall

Songs for Nobodies starts as if it is a theatrical happening. There’s a hush at Wilton’s Music Hall as it descends into darkness. And when the lights go up there is a small, middle aged woman on stage looking somewhat meek. But soon there is an astounding transformation as she channels a range of musical greats. Mimicking their style and intonation. Starting with Judy Garland, then Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and finally Maria Callas. It’s thrilling and bewildering. 

The piece is billed as a play with music by Joanna Murray-Smith, created to suit the vocal talents of Australian singer Bernadette Robinson. The premise is that a series of “nobodies” whose lives briefly intersect with these stars. There’s the lady, Beatrice who fixes Judy Garland’s hem and the usher Pearl who becomes backup to Patsy Cline and so on. 

It’s clear that Robinson has a unique talent and she holds your attention. And the production shines in Wilton’s music hall.  The faded grandeur of the venue blends in well with the production’s evocative lighting and sound effects. The band directed by Greg Arrowsmith sounds great too.

The only thing is that as the piece progresses the thrill of the transformation diminishes. By half way through it seems like the vocal tricks and transformations have been done. Too bad a greater contrast of singers was not considered rather than just the belters and divas. Covering Billie Holiday feels like a mistake now that Audra McDonald’s show has been to London. And the story about Maria Callas and her nanny lacked conviction. 

Still it’s a stylish and sophisticated night out at Wiltons. And Bernadette Robinson deserves to be world famous in London. Not just in Melbourne... 

Directed by Simon Phillips Songs For Nobodies is having its European Premiere at Wiltons Music Hall until 7 April

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Photos by Nicholas Brittain

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