Review: Singular Sensations - Kerry Ellis at the Charing Cross Theatre

Singular Sensations - Kerry Ellis

Charing Cross Theatre

Reviewed on Sunday 15th September 2013

Kerry Ellis was the first West End star to be featured in Singular Sensations, a series of Sunday afternoon shows at the Charing Cross Theatre hosted by Edward Seckerson. The shows see Edward interview his special guest who also performs live. Throughout the afternoon audiences are also treated to several recordings which are then discussed in great detail.

Kerry walked on stage wearing killer heals, despite being pregnant and due to give birth in less than five weeks time! She seemed at ease sharing the stage with Edward and is clearly used to being in interview situations. She handled herself well, giving honest answers while avoiding getting herself into any trouble - despite Edward making several bitchy remarks regarding Martine Mccutcheon and Heather Headley's poor show attendance and a controversial (but true) remark about Kerry singing Idina Menzel off the stage during a concert staging of Chess.

It was very interesting to hear Kerry discuss her early career, she explained how she was more fearless when she was just starting out. She spoke about her working relationship with Queen's Brian May who approached her after seeing her in My Fair Lady (Kerry understudied Martine Mccutcheon and played the lead role on many occasions). Kerry confirmed that the pair are currently working on a new album with will hopefully be out next year.

Kerry also spoke about her time in Wicked, the show which took her to Broadway. Unbelievably, during her time on Broadway she lived in the same apartment block as the show's composer, Stephen Schwartz, which led to a couple of awkward lift situations! When questioned about how much freedom she had with the role, Kerry admitted to having several disagreements with the show's resident director, but overall insisted that she was allowed to make the role her own and let her portrayal develop over the years.

Kerry performed several numbers, firstly ‘No-One But You’ from We Will Rock You followed by Wicked's ‘I'm Not That Girl’ which she explained is Brian's favourite number from Wicked as well as the first song that the pair recorded together. Accompanied by just a piano, the afternoon was extremely relaxed and intimate.

It was interesting to watch Kerry listen to several recordings of herself performing, something she admitted to only doing when forced. While Kerry is known for her big belt and fierce growls, it was nice to hear an acoustic version of her performing ‘I Who Have Nothing’, from Kerry and Brian's recent live album, and to be reminded of the softer side of her voice which sounds so effortlessly beautiful.

Looking to the future Kerry revealed that she thinks it is more a matter of when, as opposed to if, she will star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's one woman show, Tell Me On A Sunday. She treated the audience to a heartbreaking rendition of the musical's title number and I sincerely hope we don't have to wait too long to see Kerry take on the role! Motherhood certainly isn't going to hold the West End star back as she explained that she's only taking six weeks off before returning to work in December!

Singular Sensations provides a rare opportunity to see and hear some truly iconic theatre stars openly discuss their incredible careers as well as giving stripped back, intimate performances. It seems a shame that the show isn’t recorded as it could easily be played on the radio or made downloadable online. Singular Sensations may be ridiculously stagey, but I can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

andrew@westendframe.com 

Please visit www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk for further information and tickets.
Click here to enter our competition to win a pair of tickets to see Howard Goodall in Singular Sensations

Related
Interview with Kerry (May 2013)
Review of Kerry's Palladium show

Photo Credit: Darren Bell

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