Kerry Ellis Celebrates the Great British Song Book

Kerry Ellis Celebrates the Great British Song Book
Musical director Steve Sidwell
Shaw Theatre
Playing until 26th June

Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for the British Theatre Guide

Kerry Ellis really is the rock star of the musical theatre world. Her adoring fans from We Will Rock You and Wicked have been eagerly awaiting her next move and now she’s at the Shaw Theatre as the second part of the Great British Song Book installation. Kerry Ellis takes off where Maria Friedman finished, leading a new generation of musical theatre fans.

Whilst Friedman strolled through the traditional chapters of our Great British Song Book, Ellis shakes things up a bit and bounds through the final chapters. A far more extravagant affair than Friedman’s simple, elegant set; Ellis has a band of six, a backing singer, four dancers and even a surprise guest. Where as Friedman enjoyed the effortless banter with the audience, Ellis says of herself that she is a girl of few words and prefers to let the music do the talking and boy does it talk! This is where the comparisons between the two performers end as Kerry Ellis really has emerged from behind the green make up as a star in her own right.

Mixing musical theatre with pop music this celebration feels more like a rock concert as Ellis sashays her way across the stage and struts her stuff. Musical theatre has a reputation for being camp and cheesy but there is nothing cheesy about Kerry Ellis (ok, the four the male dancers are a bit camp) but that’s it. Ellis is as sexy as any other female pop star out there today and she sings like a true diva.

Clearly enjoying the opportunity to sing about something other than “Defying Gravity”, Ellis rocks her way through her eclectic set. Her distinctive vocals are velvety rich with a gorgeous break to her voice and a belt that just won’t quit. It is no surprise that a few Queen songs make an appearance but other stand out moments include a Lloyd Webber medley, featuring songs from Song & Dance, Tell Me on a Sunday, Evita and the rockiest version you’ve ever heard of “Memory” from Cats. Ellis also seduces the audience with an intoxicating Bond medley and gives a taste of the music she likes to listen to by singing songs by Snow Patrol, Goldfrapp and James Morrison.

The audience may not have any voice left after a night of shrieking and whooping but the same can’t be said of Ellis, which is just as well as this limited run has been extended by two days due to popular demand. With a standing ovation before she’d even started, Kerry Ellis was never going to disappoint her dedicated fans. She may have left Oz for good but there is no place like home and for Kerry Ellis that home is most definitely the stage.

Maria Friedman Celebrates The Great British Songbook

Maria Friedman Celebrates The Great British Songbook
Arrangements by Jason Carr
Shaw Theatre
5th February – 7th February

Reviewed by Rachel Sheridan for the British Theatre Guide

It’s only been a few weeks since Maria Friedman finished her Olivier award nominated show Maria Friedman: Re-Arranged at the Trafalgar Studios and yet somehow she’s found the time and energy to rehearse for another one woman show – Maria Friedman Celebrates The Great British Songbook.

A limited three day run at the Shaw Theatre, with a sequel to follow in June with Kerry Ellis of Wicked and We Will Rock You fame who will also take to the stage and remind us what makes British music so unique.

Friedman has had a varied and illustrious career, but what sets her apart from many of her contemporaries is her ability to share a song. She says she loves words and this comes as no surprise. When Friedman sings, it really is as if you are hearing the words of each song for the first time as she takes the audience along on an incredible emotional journey. One moment you are watching with tears in your eyes and the next you are laughing at some geezer like comment she makes.

Sadly there is no way of working her superb medley from Sunday in the Park with George into this line up as Sondheim belongs to the other side of the pond. However, as Friedman shows, we’re not short of a few great composers and lyricists ourselves. With beautiful arrangements by Jason Carr, Friedman’s song choices are an eclectic mix with songs from the Beatles to Lloyd Webber to a nostalgic war medley and even a little something she wrote herself. “As If We Never Said Goodbye”, sung to perfection could be Friedman’s signature song – surely it is just a matter of time before we see her tread the boards as Norma Desmond. “Norwegian Wood” and “Eleanor Rigby” by Lennon and McCartney are beautifully sentimental and as she sings “It’s Bound To Be Right On The Night”, the audience are treated to stories of her own early failures; obviously now hilarious in retrospect. Who ever knew that Maria Friedman was once the cleaner to her future co-star Michael Crawford. And of course it wouldn’t be British, if there wasn’t just a little bit of audience participation!

In an age where people rise to fame at the drop of a hat (or as the case may be; drop of a reality TV show), Friedman really is a testament to where a great deal of talent and a lot of hard work can get you. It is her open and honest manner that captivates her audience. She is warm and utterly charming and with a powerful belt that goes on and on, it is little wonder that people keep returning to see Ms Friedman.

Of course I’ll be in trouble if I don’t mention Friedman’s family and friends – David and Lynn in particular. Clearly very important to her, they also put on a fantastic side show, if you’re lucky enough to catch them in the bar after!