Carousel @ London Coliseum has to be one of the most exciting casts & productions to hit the West End in decades!
With a remarkably polished, huge and stunning cast led by Katherine Jenkins & Alfie Boe – this is a semi-staged, but glorious ENO production, returning this classic musical to a big stage!
Running for 30 nights only, Carousel also Stars the stunningly talented Brenda Edwards, Nicholas Lyndhurst (blink and you’ll miss him) but most impressively Alex Young & Gavin Spokes who steal Act 1 with great charm, vocals, warmth and personality.
Carousel 2017 @ the delicious Coliseum Theatre has Star power, a sensational orchestra, memorable tunes, top choreography and despite a flimsy plot, it’s 3 hours of memorable and impressive theatre.
Here’s our EXCLUSIVE audio / video review via YouTube:
This show is huge with a 40-piece orchestra, under the baton of David Charles Abell, 24 members of the ENO Chorus joined by 12 principals and an ensemble of 25. That’s over 100 Stars making it without question the biggest show in town!
This is a beautifully slick production with spine-tingling moments of pure joy, especially ‘Blow High’ & ‘June is busting out all over’ which are electrifying.
Edwards’ ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in Act 2 is sensational, moving and deservedly a highlight of the entire show. Jenkins’ tenderness in this scene is to be admired. This is two real life mothers nailing true emotion and empathy.
Boe & Jenkins are two rare Stars & phenomenal talents that deliver effortless, powerful, perfect & beautiful vocals. They are simply blessed and it’s a joy to see them Live….especially together. For that reason alone, Carousel is worth a visit!
Considering this is essentially a story about an unlikable wife/daughter beater, with a contrived & downbeat plot, it has some genuinely electric moments as well as a glorious Rodgers & Hammerstein’s score.
The orchestra, front of stage, are truly remarkable as you would expect from the ENO. They are worth the ticket price alone.
What a glorious noise! Inspiring.
Here’s Katherine Jenkins’ life story interview with Celebrity Radio:
Please note Katherine Jenkins will not appear on Tuesday 18 April 2017.
Alfie naturally brings true darkness to Billy, a man with few qualities and even less hope. Boe makes this tricky part (with lots of stomping) have meaning. He delivers the score with his usual grace, passion and perfection.
Here’s the opening night standing ovation on 7/4/2017:
Carousel is a story of true love, loss and feelings left unspoken. Following the ill-fated love affair between bad boy Billy Bigelow and trusting Julie Jordan, this classic musical is deeply touching and will capture your heart.
Here’s Alfie Boe’s life story interview:
The production has the 40-strong ENO orchestra and is staged similar to the previous spring musicals like Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard.
Carousel is produced by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade at the London Coliseum.
Review by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 7th April 2017.
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