Review: MEDIAEVAL BAEBES, The Actor’s Church, Covent Garden

On musician Thomas Arne’s plaque in St Paul’s Actors Church at Covent Garden, some verses from Rule Britannia are written “…Let us praise Famous Men…”, and Thursday’s premiere really made us praise famous talented women: female harmony ensemble, Mediaeval Baebes. 

Launched by Iris Theatre, the award-winning theatre company and charity based at St Paul’s since 2007, Mediaeval Baebes: 25th Anniversary Concert brings the group on stage for four celebratory performances until 29 May. 

Unifying a sacred and profane, fun and mystical atmosphere, it is quite a symbolic place for a symbolic date, a quarter of a century in their musical career. As the legends recalled in the concert’s introduction, a thunderstorm was involved in the birth of the group and six months later, they were signed to a label, started recording and haven’t stopped since. Their talent and hard work has led to 10 studio albums, an Ivor Novello Award, numerous sell-out tours all around the world, soundtrack to BBC’s The Virgin Queen and recently, two Emmy-Award nominations for their soundtrack to ITV’s show Victoria.

Distinguished worldwide as an early music and folk female-ensemble since 1996, the group have had many singing members, whom are also individual performers in their own right and having performed in many beautiful and historically significant venues across the world, from outdoor festivals to indoor places such as castles and churches, among them the Tabernacle at Notting Hill for their 20th anniversary in 2016, this time they celebrate in the intimate St Paul’s venue with a perfect acoustic after more than a year without stage performance.

Long-time fans and newcomers can be reassured, nothing was left behind through the midst of the pandemic, the audience were captivated during the 90-minute show by six multi-talented performers and three musicians, who enjoyed this special reunion as much as the audience did.

Documenting their 25-year catalogue, the ensemble take the audience with them through their ethereal and mystical story-telling, with glimpses of memories and details shared along the way, recalled narratively by the members and delightfully received by the audience. Combining a repertoire of innovative settings from mediaeval and romantic texts as well as reinventing traditional and folk songs, there is also a moving surprise containing nursery rhymes that await the audience.

Led by one of their founders Katharine Blake, the vibrant soul of the ensemble with a euphonious voice and stupefying artistic talent from singing to dancing to playing the flute and violin, the choir is comprised of six women, dressed in long flowing velvet dresses in green and black, with unique and personalised floral headdresses as a reminiscence of priestesses from ancient times.

Accompanied by a drummer, a bagpipe player, a guest singer and an Iraqi-style oud player, the members of the choir also play cello, hurdy gurdy and tambourine. The group intertwines singing all together, solo and acapella, dancing (singer, foot percussionist and international Ceilidh/barn dance caller Josephine Ravenheart is incredible) with graceful synchronised choreography, which presents a ravishing moment for the audience.

What a marvellous and enchanting evening for a silver Jubilee anniversary reunion and a stunning celebration of live stage music.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Alexia Irene

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