Disney 100 – The Concert

The digital traffic warning on the jammed road outside the Arts Centre told us “HOTA Special Event”, The event was, of course, the Disney 100 concert – not an imported package but, in fact, the brainchild of two super talented ladies from Perth who form MM Creative Productions.

Of course a special event needs a special venue and this time it’s the outdoor stage. It’san  enormous venue, with a growing green roof and state of the art tech facilities, which really does make other Music Bowls look well past their use-by date - if only the chairs were more comfortable.

That small discomfort aside, this is the perfect venue for what is indeed a SUPER Special event. To see a FULL Symphony Orchestra, brilliantly lit, with giant screens either side of the stage, a great conductor, stunning cast of six, Disney film clips and great sound play to an audience of MORE than 5,000, aged from just a few months to over 80 years (all of whom were enthralled, enchanted and entertained magnificently), was something to be cherished for all time.

If you’re looking for cutesy cartoon costumes, or ice-skating gimmicks, this isn’t the concert for you. The Queensland Pops Orchestra is one of the finest in the country, Jessica Gethin is a world-renowned conductor and the cast of six comprises some of the finest voices you will ever hear, and seasoned performers who know how to entertain.

Producers Amy Manford and Genevieve McCarthy are also the stars of the show, although the cast works largely as an ensemble. Alongside them (rather than simply supporting them) are the irascible Mark Hill, an extraordinary talent who makes everything look effortless; the divine Chloe Zuel – fresh from Hamilton; Drew Weston, the ultimate leading man; and the astonishing and charismatic Lyndon Watts, who wowed audiences as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. Each has their moment, but it’s when the orchestra and cast combine at full power that lifetime memories are made. Lydon Watts leading the cast in “The Circle of Life” (The Lion King) with the rest of the cast singing counterpoint in African language had the crowd cheering as if they were at a rock concert. Amy and Gen had their “Idina Menzel – eat your heart out” moments in the Frozen medley. “Let It Go was the triumph we all expected. However, the purity of Amy Manford’s superb classical soprano voice singing descant reminiscent of Christine’s scales (from Phantom) to McCarthy’s melody in “Into The Unknown” (Frozen 2) brought goosebumps to my skin and a lump to my throat. The rest of the cast joined for the finale which was punctuated by fireworks in the night sky and golden rain flares along the front of the gigantic stage. However, it was Manford who reduced me to tears with her simple, yet perfect, rendition of “When You Wish Upon A Star.”  Was there ever a better Disney song? Written 83 years ago, it sums up all the reasons why Disney is so important to our world of entertainment.

Perhaps the most astonishing thing outside of the concert itself was the reaction of the children, of whom there were more than a thousand. Largely aged between 3 and 12, and decked out as Princesses (mostly the girls, though I did spot a boy or two in pink tulle). They were in a state of awe for two hours. They didn’t get bored, they didn’t run around being disruptive, and some of them didn’t even watch the big screens. They sat attentively and wondered at instruments they had never seen before, making LIVE music, and beautiful people singing songs they knew but in a way they had never heard before. It was a revelation, especially when they clapped and cheered along with the adults. Perhaps, in years to come, they will take their own children to see a live concert, though I doubt it could possibly be as good as this one. If you were there last night, go again tonight. It’s worth it.

Coral Drouyn

Read Coral's interview with Amy Manford and Genevieve McCarthy