Review: The Theatre Channel Episode 3 (Rock Special)

Photo credit: Edward Johnson

The Theatre Café has already produced two star-studded, breathtaking concerts for us and Episode 3 equally does not disappoint! 

The episode takes us through an eclectic series of songs from rock musicals, including Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Chess, The Who’s Tommy, Starmania and Jagged Little Pill. 

Described as a “hybrid” between music video and musical theatre performance by producer Adam Blanshay, this combination of cinematography and theatre gifts us both stunning vocals and performances, where we really feel like we’re living the story with the actors because of our proximity to them on screen. Alex Gaumond (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Legally Blonde) said in a post-show Q&A that “having the camera there means you can go even deeper into the character” and this definitely comes across throughout every number. 

We dive right in with Aquarius from Hair, performed by The Theatre Channel’s Café Four, comprised of Alyn Hawke (Oklahoma!, Follies, 42nd Street), Emily Langham (The Boy Friend, Oklahoma!, West Side Story), Sadie-Jean Shirley (City of Angels, Ghost: The Musical, Aladdin) and Alex Woodward (Mamma Mia, Hairspray).  The four work seamlessly as an ensemble and provide great support throughout the show, with this opening number really setting the scene and drawing us into what’s to come. 

Staging, set and lighting throughout each number really serve the stories and help us, as an audience, to really feel present. Rather than feeling like we’re missing out on a live performance, this creative team has really capitalised on this new medium and used it to enhance our experience as viewers. Camera angles work to reflect a character’s inner struggle and allow us to be told the story from more angles than we would from our theatre seat; it’s a four dimensional experience! Whilst we eagerly await the return of live theatre, it’s certainly an incredible way to stop the gap. 

Alex Gaumond’s performance of ‘Le Monde est Stone’ from Starmania, in his mother-tongue French, was particularly powerful. He described it as feeling like a “Shakespearean soliloquy” and that there was definitely a sense of creating a “dialogue with the audience”. In fact, every performer in this episode created a sense of storytelling and a connection with the audience that some might fear would be lost in a televised performance. But it most definitely isn’t. ‘Gethsemene’ from Jesus Christ Superstar, sung by Rob Houchen (Light in the Piazza, Les Misérables) and Forgiven from Jagged Little Pill, sung by Francesca Jackson (Tina: The Musical, I’d Do Anything) are performed against a poignant backdrop of central London, reminding us that even if we can’t see theatre in person right now, we will be back, stronger than ever. 

The energy throughout is incredible, onstage and off, with Adam Blanshay saying today that The Theatre Café “has given 200%”. I’d say you won’t want to miss their next holiday-themed concert. Details will be announced on Monday 30 November and we can expect five more concerts to follow in 2021. There may even be a special surprise in the pipeline…

You can purchase Episodes 1 to 3 and find out more here.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Eliza Harris