Well, theatre is most definitely exploding back onto our stages and we are ecstatic about it! The first in the Monday Night At The Apollo series was a riotous, showstopping celebration of theatricality. 

Featuring Aimie Atkinson, Lucie Jones, Cedric Neal, Cassidy Janson, and Julian Ovenden, and hosted by Greg Barnett, the full-length concert featured songs by everyone from Rodgers and Hammerstein and Irving Berlin to Tom Waits and Adele. Peppered with charming anecdotes and insights into the professional lives of the five fantastic performers, it was a truly human and intimate experience. Celebrating the presence of a live audience, and the tenacity of workers in the industry, it felt like a momentous occasion. 

To see these performers live again was a real treat with highlights including an Annie Get Your Gun medley from Julian Ovenden and an incredibly touching performance of ‘Hold Me In Your Heart’ from Kinky Boots by Cedric Neal. To an audible gasp of delight from the crowd, Lucie Jones gave a flawless rendition of ‘She Used To Be Mine’ from Waitress ahead of her return to the role of Jenna in the UK tour commencing from September. 

As well as solos, the group performed duets including a stunning rendition of Jason Robert Brown’s ‘All The Wasted Time’ by Ovenden and Janson. The fab five were also accompanied by a five-piece band and beautiful lighting that really rounded off a show-stopping evening. 

All five artists, in conversation with Greg Barnett, and each other, were honest and funny, discussing their upcoming projects and how thankful they are to be back performing. The whole evening had a warm charm about it and the audience’s delight at being back in a real theatre was wholly matched by the energy from the musicians and performers, which gave the concert a magical quality. 

If you don’t have a ticket for the next concert on Monday 14 June, stop what you’re doing and get one now here Besties!