Review: THE THEATRE CHANNEL - Episode 6, Showstoppers (Online)
In a new partnership with stream.theatre, The Theatre Channel is back - bigger and better than ever! ‘Showstoppers’ couldn’t be a more apt title for the most recent episode with its starry West End line-up and immense production values.
Under the direction of multi award-winning theatre director, Thom Southerland, the amount of storyboarding that has clearly gone into the preparation of this programme is admirable and is reflected in the finished product, which is filmed on-site at the Theatre Cafe when it all began, in the immediate vicinity of the stagey venue and even branching out to notable London locations including Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.
The new Cafe Five (Anthony Starr, Danny Becker, Kayleigh Thadani, M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac and Vicki Lee Taylor) and Theatre Café manager and performer, Jack Malin, open the spellbinding programme with ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ from Annie Get Your Gun - a joyful opening that is somewhat timely now theatres are starting to reopen once again after a long 14 months. Ashley Nottingham’s choreography is exciting and has been created specifically to work in the confines of the cafe’s interior.
Danny Mac follows this showstopper up with ‘Moving Too Fast’ from The Last Five Years, performed almost entirely in the outside seating area of the cafe, before utilising the side passage running adjacent to the venue. Mac would be a great Jamie Wellerstein, making good acting choices and Southerland uses the Cafe Five to full effect in this number.
Layton Williams slows the pace with ‘Hold Me In Your Heart’ from Kinky Boots, cranking up the emotional stakes tenfold. His interaction with his Father tugs on the heartstrings, and his diva-type persona as Lola radiates through every pore in his body. Aaron J Dootson’s stunning lighting in this number must also be recognised.
Jade and Amber Davies take on the Hilton twins from Side Show, giving a goosebumps-inducing performance of ‘Who Will Love Me As I Am/I Will Never Leave You’. They showcase flawless vocals and harmonies, with their real-life sisterly bond only enhancing the number.
Kerry Ellis gives a powerhouse performance of ‘Always Starting Over’ from Broadway musical, If/Then. Filmed outside the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden before venturing out into the piazza, this number has a very cinematic feel, whilst somehow retaining an intimate and personal quality.
Wrapping up the episode is Katie Deacon with an energised, passionate performance of ‘The Music and the Mirror’ from A Chorus Line. Michael Bennett’s original choreography is recreated by Nottingham and delivered brilliantly by Deacon, dressed in Cassie’s iconic red leotard. As the number builds, so does the expanse of her performance and the locations filmed at.
This final number leads seamlessly into a fitting segment dedicated to legendary theatre choreographer Bob Avian, whom sadly passed away in January of this year. Footage shown includes excerpts from the 2013 London revival, and fascinating contributions from original cast member Baayork Lee, producer John Breglio, and actor, director and producer Antonio Banderas who co-directed the 2019 Spanish-language production of A Chorus Line in Malaga, as well as starring as Zach in the piece.
This episode provides theatre fans with everything that they could possibly want or need. Theatrical heaven.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jenny Ell
The Theatre Channel: Episode 6 (Showstoppers) is available to stream now here.
