Within the world of musical theatre, there are so many songs that everyone knows and loves, but there are many songs written by composers and lyricists that never make the final cut for musicals or are a hidden gem from an as yet unproduced musical, which the world is yet to discover.  The online concert REGENERATE: Lost Songs from the Musicals is a night of performances of never-before-heard-songs sung by favourites of the West End and Broadway as well as rising talent. 

REGENERATE was a free online gala fundraiser in support of charity Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN) and money raised from donations throughout the evening will go towards BEAM2023, a musical theatre festival that supports new writing talent and gives them a platform for presenting their work in whatever stage of development the work may be in.

The evening was jam packed full of glorious music from a mixture of new writers and well-known composers.  Each heart-breaking, joyous and hopeful song came from the minds of Masi Asare, Kit Buchan, Jim Barne, Omar Baroud, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boubil, Stuart Brayson, George Stiles, Anthony Drewe, Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, Douglas Hodge, Irene Sankoff, David Hein, Andrew Lippa, Lucy Moss, Toby Marlow, Urielle Klein-Mekongo, Elton John, Tim Rice, Stephen Schwartz, Don Black, Debbie Wiseman, and Maury Yeston.

Not only did these talents create the work featured in the concert, but Baroud, Hodge and Klein-Mekongo also performed their own songs for REGENERATE, and whilst the rest of the performances were recorded in the simply stunning Fiction Studios, Stephen Schwartz provided piano accompaniment for a number from his musical Marley himself with vocals from Michael McCorry Rose in a performance across the pond.  The concert began with a powerful performance from well renowned actor Adrian Lester and was followed by a programme of excellent performers: Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Janie Dee, Anita Dobson, Alice Fearn, Luke Friend, Duncan James, Aisha Jawando, Hanna Khogali, George Maguire, Newtion Matthews, Luke McCall, Frances Mayli McCann, Grace Mouat, Natalie Paris, Dan Partridge, as well as previously mentioned Baroud, Hodge, Klein-Mekongo, McCorry Rose, and finally the concert came to a close with a beautiful rendition of ‘Too Much for One Heart’ (a song cut from the classic musical Miss Saigon by Desmonda Cathabel.

Introducing each song, performer and writer, as well as encouraging viewers to donate, was the host of the gala event Vikki Stone, who brought their charismatic personality to our screens for the evening.  Stone was an excellent host, but it did feel a shame that she didn’t have the uniquely gorgeous backdrop of Fiction Studios like the performers had, as this would’ve maintained more of a flow for the livestream and made her seem more like a Master of Ceremonies being more involved in the event;  being in a separate, plainer location made Stone seem a little detached from the concert despite her being very much involved and clearly having passion for the cause they were fundraising for.

Additional to the amazing singers, songwriters and host of the evening, the other stars of the concert were musical director Nick Barstow and the band providing superb accompaniment for each and every performer.  With their instrumental skills and the vocal talents of the performers, together they were able to bring to life these unheard songs and share them with the world.

REGENERATE: Lost Songs from the Musicals was a magical evening of discovering new writing talent and never-before-heard songs that are beautifully crafted gems, which deserve as much appreciation as the most well-known musical scores.  We are simply in awe of the amount of talent this gala has showcased and are looking forward to seeing how the concert’s fundraising efforts help BEAM2023.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Jess Dalloway