Review: Roles We’ll Never Play, Apollo Theatre (Online)

Before Christmas and before London was plunged back into lockdown, some shows did manage to go on against all the odds. Performing to socially distanced audiences and following all of the Covid rules, this production reminds us of the joys of live theatre, even though their runs were short but sweet. One of the shows staged during this time was the Roles We’ll Never Play concert, produced by Tom Duern. With two performances in the West End, the concert was able to entertain live audiences but now that the country is back in lockdown, the production has now been made available to watch online. 

Hosted by Carl Mullaney who opens the show with a performance of ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’, the concert features many stage favourites performing songs that they wouldn’t normally get to sing, with 2 hours of gender and race-blind entertainment. Even through a computer screen, you can feel the audience’ excitement and their happiness at being back in a theatre. The concert is split into cycles of three or four performances of songs with different themes, including hope, fantasy and teenage angst, with many well-known numbers mixed in with those lesser-known. 

With the Apollo Theatre normally playing host to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, it is one of the show’s former cast members, Luke Bayer, who kicks off the first cycle with an impressive performance of Rent’s ‘Out Tonight’. The show features many wonderful performances, and whilst I could talk about many of them, it would be better and a lot less rambling if I just pick out some highlights. 

Lauren Byrne, who recently impressed the judges on The Voice, performs a beautiful version of ‘Go the Distance’ from Hercules, whilst Aladdin and Hamilton star Trevor Dion Nicolas takes on the role of The Witch with a performance of ‘Stay with Me’ from Into The Woods. We are given a taste of Moulin Rouge by Mary-Jean Caldwell’s stunning take of ‘Come What May’, whilst Laura Baldwin adds an adorable dose of Disney magic by singing ‘When I’m Older’, Olaf’s number from Frozen II. 

Other highlights include Pearce Barron’s rendition of Hairspray’s ‘I Can Hear The Bells’, Maiya Quansah-Breed’s take on ‘Not My Father’s Son’ from Kinky Boots, Michael Mather’s performance of ‘The Man Who Got Away’ and Billy Never’s performance of ‘I Am Changing’ from Dreamgirls. Chris Howell brings laughter with his number ‘Dance 10, Looks 3’ from A Chorus Line, whilst Alice Fearn’s performance of ‘Santa Fe’ from Newsies is also beautiful. 

With this concert giving performers the opportunity to perform songs by characters that they wouldn’t normally get to play, we are able to experience the performers’ talent in a new light. It also means that the performers can try out new songs and put their spin on classic numbers. The entire concert has a wonderful sense of fun and excitement, with it being clear how happy the performers are to be back on stage, along with a number of standing ovations from the thrilled audience. 

This concert is a true reminder of the joys of live theatre and the pure talent of the performers. I can’t wait for the day when we can all gather together again and experience this thrill and talent in the flesh once more. The day that theatres reopen to full capacity is going to be absolutely incredible. 

If you would like to catch this concert of Roles We’ll Never Play, tonight is your last chance. To book tickets, please click here.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rebecca Wallis

Please note: this review also features on blog site Musical Theatre Lives In Me.