Review: FIVER THE MUSICAL Live Concert Recording

Photo credit: Danny Kaan

Following its critically acclaimed premiere at Southwark Playhouse in July 2019, Fiver the Musical has since been revived for a streamed concert production and today marks the release of the show’s eagerly-awaited live concert recording.

The concept behind Fiver is an intelligent yet simple one. Bank notes get passed from person to person every day but you never know the stories behind the people who possess it. This new musical, written by Alex James Ellison and Tom Lees, follows five Londoners at significant points in their lives, with the only thing connecting them being a humble five pound note that passes from one to the other.

The performers who appear on the album are the very same who starred in both the original production and successive concert: Luke Bayer, Dan Buckley, Aoife Clesham, Hiba Elchikhe and Alex James Ellison, along with a four piece band.

The voices, both individually and collectively, are sublime. The musical navigates through varying musical styles including folk, rap, pop, soft rock and most genres in between. ‘Change Is Bringing Me Down’ is certainly an incredible opener to the show. The way that the track builds from just an acoustic guitar and Ellison’s beautiful tone, to a fully orchestrated ensemble number, showcasing the quintet’s pitch perfect harmonies, is sensational. And that is only the first number!

There are 25 tracks on the album yet this doesn’t feel excessive in context. The storyline weaves its way through the individual’s stories set to the most epic soundtrack. The structure is good with sung ‘Letters’ breaking up the numbers and using occasional repetition to enhance the progression of the piece to great effect. Highlights include: Aoife Clesham’s pace and emotional journey in ‘Disconnected’; the layering and depth of vocal in ‘For Your Light To Shine’; Luke Bayer and Hiba Elchikhe’s stunning duet, ‘As Long As I Have You’; and Dan Buckley’s beautiful rendition of ‘I’ll Write A Song For You’.

Each cast member contributes greatly to this wonder of a new British homegrown musical.

Fiver the Musical - The Live Concert Recording is available to buy now here.