In a year when the theatre industry has constantly had to fight to keep going, it has continuously reminded us just how important live performance is and continued to evolve and innovate; somehow making it work against all odds. Red Piano Productions, a brand-new production company launched this year, specialise in producing concerts that celebrate exceptional musical theatre talent. After producing ‘An Evening with Emerging Writers’ earlier this year at the Union Theatre, the company is back with a new streamed concert that features a number of West End and Broadway stars singing some Christmas classics and new material from talented emerging writers. 

The concert entitled Winter Warmers features performances from West End talent Emma Hatton (Wicked, Evita), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Rent.Six), Callum Heinrich (Mamma Mia!), Grace Mouat (Six, & Juliet) and Taylor Louderman and Krystina Alabado, who both starred in the Broadway production of Mean Girls, alongside recent graduates Marina Tavolieri and Matteo Johnson. 

Whilst much loved Christmas classics ‘Winter Wonderland’ and ‘The Christmas Song’ make an appearance (performed by Callum Heinrich and Olivia Jasper respectively), the heart of the concert is in the brilliant mixture of new music from a plethora of talented emerging writers, including concert host Dominic Gray. There are so many talented writers taking their first steps into the industry and concerts such as this one highlight them and give their music the chance to shine. I could talk about every song featured, but that would make for a very long ramble and I don’t think anyone wants that, so I will just pick out a few favourites.

Emma Hatton’s performance of ‘Magic’ by Ben Barrow and Lucy Ireland was beautiful, a heartfelt tune about reminiscing about childhood memories of Christmas and the magic that comes with the season; whilst ‘Kiss Me At Midnight’ by Dominic Gray and Ceola Daly, performed by Callum Heinrich and Marina Tavolieri, is a sweet and charming look at two guests at a New Year’s Eve party desperate to get over their nerves to kiss at midnight. Grace Mouat also impresses with ‘Send It On Tonight’ by Damian Barray and Olivia Jasper performs her own composition, ‘The Island’. Songs from Deborah Gersohn, Suzy Davies and Natalie Brow are also featured, and I can’t wait to hear more from these emerging talents. 

Winter Warmers from Red Piano Productions celebrates the skill of writers just entering into the industry, performed by some incredible stars, and with its running time of just over 40 minutes, it really left me wanting more. You can look at it like a taster of things to come from these writers who have their whole careers ahead of them. 

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rebecca Wallis