Adam Blanshay Productions and the Theatre Cafe have come up trumps on their latest episode of the streamed Theatre Channel. Set in and around the cafe in the heart of Theatreland, director Thom Sutherland has presented another galaxy of stars in an episode dedicated to showstoppers.
But this time, there’s the added bonus of an in-depth look behind the scenes at the musical A Chorus Line, including interviews with two people associated with its original production and superstar Antonio Banderas talking about his all-Spanish version which is set for Broadway when it re-opens.
Jack Martin and the Cafe 5 kick us off with the energetic There’s No Business Like Show Business, and its topical plea: “ let’s go on with the show”. Danny Mac is equally energetic in Moving Too Fast from the show The Last 5 Years, – it’s rocking and bluesy and flying on full power.
For me the singing highlight of this edition is Jamie the Musical star Layton Williams , in drag , singing to an older man Hold Me In Your Heart from Kinky Boots. It’s a stunning version. Sisters Jade and Amber Davies give us two numbers from Sideshow – Who Will Love Me As I Am ? And I Will Never Leave You – haunting, wonderfully uplifting stuff.
Kerry Ellis gives us Always Starting Over from If/Then – a bitter lament about a past lover and a new life – moodily filmed around the churchyard in Covent Garden. Katie Deacon sings and dances her heart out in The Music And The Mirror, which segues nicely into a long look back at A Chorus Line. There’s intriguing chat from original cast member and director’s assistant Baayork Lee and from producer John Breglio about the musical’s origins and production clips and an interview with superstar Antonio Banderas , whose first-ever Spanish-speaking version of the show took Malaga and Barcelona by storm before lockdown and is slated for Broadway soon.
All 6 episodes of the channel are available via stream.theatre – also more information at thetheatrecafe.co.uk
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