Review: MONDAY NIGHT AT THE APOLLO, Apollo Theatre (14 June)
With the news of COVID restrictions being extended, it seemed poignant being sat in a West End theatre about to watch a show. The audience buzz was palpable for this offering of Monday Night at the Apollo, a concert series produced by Greg Barnett and Hugh Summers, which sees industry stars perform their favourite songs whilst also chatting about their careers and motivations, allowing the audience a glimpse into their personal lives in a casual and intimate setting.
Headlining this Monday night were Shan Ako, Arthur Darvill, Sandra Marvin, Jamie Muscato and Sophie Evans who, between them, have amassed a slew of impressive credits, from Doctor Who, Emmerdale and The X Factor, to Les Miserables, Heathers and WICKED. The show itself was compered by Greg Barnett who ran the evening with expert fluidity and showmanship. He made us aware from the start that QR codes were doted around the theatre to make donations to ‘Acting for Others’ if we could, in an effort to aid all of the artists forced out of work by the pandemic. He helped to create a relaxed environment that allowed each performer to flourish in their own unique way, whilst simultaneously creating a cohesive bond between the audience and the artists, never once making anything seemed forced or contrived. He also opened the show himself proving his vocal prowess and stage presence from the off, which cultivated authentic conversations, being more artist on artist rather than artist to host, which formed an element of unity and understanding.
One by one, each of our headliners stepped up to the plate to share their performances with us, ranging from jazz to reggae, country to musical theatre, in a variety of solos and duets. What was so lovely about the evening was it allowed us to be shown the versatility of these stars, people who we associate with certain styles were allowed to show how multi-talented they are, whilst in parallel giving them the opportunity to show us that themselves, trying out songs they’ve always wanted to sing in a live setting but have never had the opportunity to until now.
Ako and Darvill were able to show us their aptitude with guitar, whilst Darvill also displayed how talented a pianist he is. Ako and Evans also shared songs with us from their latest EPs and album, which only heightened the level of intimacy and allowed us to feel that we were part of something very personal and unique.
Marvin’s powerhouse vocals were displayed throughout but particularly in a show-stopping rendition of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ from Hairspray that had the house in rapturous applause for what seemed like an age, and quite rightly, it was simply stunning. Muscato showed his chameleon-like vocals in a spine-tingling rendition of ‘Maria’ and a euphoric version of ‘Rocket Man’. He also covered ‘Lifeboat’ from Heathers, usually sung by Heather McNamara in the show but in a male key and in Muscato’s hands was simply breath-taking with an exceptional journey of explosion and calm. Darvill wowed us with a powerful rendition of Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’ accompanying himself expertly on piano, balanced out perfectly by a gorgeous blend with Ako when they took on a cut song from the musical Once.
The chat show element of Monday Night at the Apollo allowed us a glimpse into the lives of these performers we often put on a pedestal (in the best sense) and see just how wonderfully normal and personable they are, from hopes and dreams to onstage mishaps and discovering that Muscato is a professional whistler, and when challenged by an audience member displayed a pitch perfect rendition of the opening to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Discovering for example that Evans’ favourite musical was WICKED and then the fact that she achieved that dream was powerful, not to mention her joyous execution of the iconic ‘Popular’ with comedic ease and panache. Another highlight from Evans that night had to be her cover of Eva Cassidy’s ‘Songbird’, her gorgeous crystalline tones navigated the vocal flips gorgeously providing a really touching moment.
The personal highlight for me that evening came in the form of Shan Ako. She is a true star. An effortlessly kind and genuine soul who shared a gorgeous rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ with the audience and encouraged us to sing along and be involved. Soon enough, you had a full house singing together and sharing their love of music and art and although it wasn’t a full house due to social distancing, you couldn’t tell, another indication of the indescribable effect live theatre has on us as a society and how desperately craved it is. It would also be amiss to not mention her rendition of ‘On My Own’ from Les Miserables (of which her and Muscato are currently starring in at the Sondheim Theatre), a fresh, new and inspiringly connected version of the popular standard with heart-breaking emotional ease.
The four-piece band of keys, guitar, bass/double bass and drums was led expertly by industry musical director and pianist George Dyer, with exceptional arrangements of the playlist and incredible synchronicity, considering the almost zero rehearsal time they must have had. It was truly spectacular to hear live music fill a theatre once more, especially when its such a rich and full sound coming from such a small band.
The night ended with the ladies of the evening singing Whitney Houston’s ‘Wanna Dance With Somebody’ allowing each to showcase their amazing voices but again, Marvin’s powerhouse vocals really shone through, elevating this number to a whole new plain. The evening of course took place at the Apollo Theatre, current home to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which has opened-up again under current government guidelines, but elements of its set remained as a constant reminder that producers are doing whatever and using wherever they can to ensure that live theatre can flourish in this climate, and their tenacity needs to be applauded.
It’s hard to know what to expect from a concert sometimes, especially a hybrid chat show one, but what I was presented with at Monday Night at the Apollo was nothing short of an exceptional homecoming to live musical theatre, in whatever element that may be. Its effect, I believe, was also testament to the fact that the couple nearest me had ended up in the wrong theatre and were anything but disappointed with the evening they had and left on a theatrical high. That is the buzz I love about live performance, how it can change you, turn disappointment into rapturous joy, and let me tell you… the buzz is back.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Duncan Burt
