Some Enchanted Evening – The Stoller Hall, Manchester

Conductor: Gregor Reid

Quite often, the orchestra members for a major musical theatre production are the unsung heroes. Usually at a level the audience can’t see, in an orchestra pit, they keep the whole production alive, create the buzz in the auditorium, give the stars of the show wonderful backing arrangements and yet, while they are acknowledged in the finale, they (in most cases) don’t get the bow of their own.

In Some Enchanted Evening, presented at the wonderful Stoller Hall in central Manchester, that all changes, with the English Musical Theatre Orchestra taking over the entire stage and getting their own moment in the spotlight.

The concert sees the 26 piece orchestra taking audiences on a trip down memory lane, performing the arrangements from some of the most loved songs from the golden age of musicals. They are joined by two guests for the evening, Classical Tenor Roy Locke and international Soprano Lisa Jane Kelsey. Locke has had many a role on the musical theatre scene, most notably as the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. Kelsey has toured in an array of theatrical shows and performed in the West End.

Members of the orchestra, brought together in 2020 by producer and musician Sam Pope and Conductor Gregor Reid, are truly sensational – their instruments an extension of them. Their passion for their art shines through and you can’t help but reflect on the hours of blood, sweat and tears, the sacrifices they must have made socially, to get to the calibre they are at.

The guest singers are also wonderfully talented, making their way through a jam packed repertoire from musicals including My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, The King and I, Carousel and more.

But while they go through many an outfit change, their performances throughout the evening do remain very samey. Granted it’s harder to get into character in this format of show, but a combination of more movement, facial expressions and gestures could make the world of difference.

The small pieces of conversation from the conductor in between numbers does help in adding a new dimension to the concert and Reid does come across as extremely personable, likeable and enigmatic. Perhaps by also allowing the guest singers to get in on some of the light-hearted lines and anecdotes, it would help an audience warm to them quicker. Locke, in particular, has the same persona throughout the whole show, carrying with him the enigma of the Phantom – when, really, in this type of production, you expect to see the person behind the performer. Kelsey does a better job of relaxing in her role for the night.

That said, they really do perform with passion in the West Side Story segment of the concert – their acting and vocals working with the orchestra perfectly to create a beautiful and must-see moment.

If you know your Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes from your Stephen Sondheim hits, then this is an enjoyable and entertaining night – with a beautiful setting and enchanting performances, in particular from the musicians of the English Musical Theatre Orchestra.

Ran on 25 May 24.