Performer Le Gateau Chocolat working with musical director/pianist Allyson Devenish and singer/songwriter/art historian Dr David McAlmont has brought his latest show Spirituals to the Lowry. With an Order of Service reading like a Sunday Service, Spirituals is an ode to the two sopranos Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle. Back in 1990 the two did a show at New York’s Carnegie Hall called Sing Spirituals. Le Gateau Chocolat here performs a selection of the songs performed at that concert.
Dominating the stage in a glittered black suit, Le Gateau Chocolat has a wonderous deep baritone voice which he uses to full effect within the show. From a falsetto start with a brief homily to Donna Summer’s I Feel Love, through gospel, the songs of the Southern States from the period when slavery was still practised, and even a track from West Side Story the show feels like it is a quieter, slower version of a gospel service.
Partway through he is joined on stage by Dr David McAlmont. Starting as a vocalist in the early 1990s, McAlmont has a clear strong voice with a stunning range. From then the show is a mix of both performers along with a couple of readings from McAlmont and one from Musical Director Allyson Devenish. Devenish accompanies most songs with a skill and sensitivity which enhances the spiritual basis of the show and has one solo number which showcases her talent.
Towards the end the audience are invited to write something they believe in or feel on a supplied sheet and these are collected and turned into announcements. It is another way of making the programme feel closer to a service than a performance.
Spirituals is a relatively short show at just over the hour in length but every minute of that time is used to great effect. While it is a show about religion it is not a show where the audience needs to be religious to enjoy it and that is an important factor. This is not some loud performance but the belief and power involved still make it a show worth watching.
Runs until Saturday 30th May
