FESTIVAL REVIEW: Music I spent a wonderful evening of Music at the Gay Theatre Festival on Friday night. Acceptable In The 80s was a live musical review of the songs that made the iconic 80s memorable and camp! Having seen Lady K and Ruby Noir in Undercurrent before I was wondering how they would transfer into theatre and they did nicely. There was a lot of good research in the engaging narrative that interspersed these classical gems. I learned a lot about stars I took for granted including my own icon Morrissey. Its great to hear live music and both musician and vocalist blended with ease and a comfortable familiarity. This cabaret crew impressed on the theatrical stage in a charming, nostalgic, well produced production performed with the quality you would expect from good theatre. With breath in hand I ran over to see A Little Jazz Night Music in the 10.15pm later slot. A glass of wine is always welcome at this time of night and I was looking forward to a musical theatre treat. Singer Stella Bass and accompanist Cian Boylan set a classy scene with subtle lighting and a baby grand piano. Bass has a charming presence and a velvet voice for late night jazz. The arrangements by Boylan were in some cases inspired by previous treatments by jazz musicians of the music of celebrated composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. I always wonder why anyone would try to reinterpret the best. In most instances it worked very well. Sondheims gift for words and music are equal and at times for the sake of being different the melody just underscored the lyric and I missed some familiar wonderful melodies. Bass referred to a lot of work being done in a short time and its was emphasised by a phrase by phrase checking of lyrics. It was the only downside Una wonderful evening of musicianship and creativity that inhibited the final acting interpretation that is a real treat for actors who sing his work. Excellent arrangements and a considerable musical and vocal made this a real late night treat. AOB
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 11:24:33 +0000
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