Ideally, I might have liked a bit more of an introduction to each of the animated motion pictures featured in this concert – by which I mean I’d have liked a proper introduction in the first place, beyond announcing, “Here is Person X to sing Song Y from Show Z”. Then again, one could always look up, say, Anastasia (which I’ve never seen) afterwards. Still, some clarification on who the ‘heroes and villains’ were being sung about would have helped. Either way, there’s a tinge of irony that a celebration of animation contained no animation itself – there were no excerpts or extracts from any of the movies featured. Of course, the films in question are under copyright, and the costs involved in screening even short scenes from each one is likely to be prohibitive.
Fair play, then, to host Simon Lipkin, who decided to make use of his membership of the Magic Circle, and emphasise the word ‘magic’ in the show’s title, by indulging the audience in a few tricks. No spoilers, suffice to say this wasn’t the stuff of pick a card, any card, and it will be guessed correctly, because they’re all the same. It was all very agreeable – even a child in the ‘gallery’ (it’s what the venue calls the circle) was able to join in, but at the risk of overanalysing light entertainment, there was only limited congruence between the magic and the rest of the evening’s proceedings.
Still, it served the purpose of establishing and maintaining a good rapport with the audience, who were otherwise largely treated (or subjected) to song after song from miscellaneous movies. About twenty-five songs (I’m counting a Snow White / Moana / Frozen mash-up as one song) were all performed to a high standard – a good mix of musical styles ensured the audience didn’t sit through, for instance, half a dozen ballads in a row. The sound balance was very good between the West End Does Orchestra and the singers. I have no idea quite how many members of the West End Musical Choir took to the Cadogan Hall stage, suffice to say it took a while for them to file in, and a while for them to file out. The organisation has eight choirs in London and one in Manchester. Another will open in Birmingham in the autumn of 2025.
Sharlene Hector was an inspired choice – having someone in the cast of the upcoming West End production of Hercules in a concert which included a couple of songs from that show gave the evening an extra touch of pizazz. It didn’t really matter that the showstopping first half closing number, a duet with Hector and Rachel John, was from The Prince of Egypt, or that ‘Go the Distance’ from Hercules was given over to the GSA Singers (as the Guildford School of Acting calls them, even if West End Does prefers to call them ‘the GSA Choir’).
Leesa Tulley was a revelation – at least to me – she had one of the two leading roles in the relatively short-lived Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre, though that production didn’t showcase her vocal talents to the extent that this concert did. The spotlight operator could, frankly, have done better, for the simple reason that it wasn’t always possible to see who was singing! As ever with concerts of this nature, one is hearing and seeing songs sung out of context. But these were mostly songs that are decent tunes, whether you’ve never heard them before or heard them a thousand times. Another thoroughly enjoyable evening from the West End Does team.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Hosted by Simon Lipkin
Featured soloists: Alistair Brammer, Sharlene Hector, Rob Houchen, David Hunter, Rachel John, Rob Made, Leesa Tulley
Musical Director and Arranger – Samuel Wilson
With the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) Singers and the West End Musical Choir
The 1-day only concert featured iconic songs from animated films.
The concert celebrated some of the most iconic heroes and villains of animated film history, performed by a cast of leading West End artists. They were accompanied by the West End Does Orchestra, led by musical director Samuel Wilson, as well as two choirs and dancers from Guildford School of Acting.
ACT ONE
The Bells of Notre Dame / Out There – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Accidentally in Love – Shrek 2
Strangers Like Me / Son of Man – Tarzan
Colours of the Wind – Pocahontas
See The Light / Mother Knows Best – Tangled
Cruella De Vil – 101 Dalmatians
Poor Unfortunate Souls – The Little Mermaid
Through Heaven’s Eyes / When You Believe – The Prince of Egypt
ACT TWO
Zero to Hero / Go the Distance – Hercules
Once Upon A December / In the Dark of the Night – Anastasia
In the Mob Song / Gaston / Evermore / Beauty and the Beast – Beauty and the Beast
Be Prepared – The Lion King
Almost There – The Princess and the Frog
Better Than I – Joseph, King of Dreams
Waiting On How Far I’ll Let It Go – Snow White / Moana / Frozen
Holding Out For A Hero – Shrek 2
You’ve Got A Friend In Me – Toy Story
Chorus Productions presents
WEST END DOES: THE MAGIC OF ANIMATION
Cadogan Hall
Sunday 4 May 2025
