Musicals in Concert with Rachael Beck

Rachael Beck shone in the single concert at the Perth Convention Centre, which also highlighted the talents of over two hundred young West Australian performers.

Musicals in Concert is an innovation of the Australian Performing Arts Network (APAN), to bring an outstanding musical theatre performer to Perth, to perform alongside developing performers. Previous stars have been Lucy Durack and Todd McKenny.

Rachael has wonderful charisma and performed a flamboyant opening number with APAN's full-time students, then two substantial sets, and told the audience stories from her past, including growing up as a kid who loved to perform, competing in eisteddfods and her first experience in professional theatre. Her musical choices were beautiful and varied and included the Count's Song from Sesame Street (which was her 'unbeatable' song as a child) as well as selections from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, Cabaret, A Little Night Music and others. APAN full-time student Sarah Towler sang impressively when she joined Rachael for the duet ‘For Good’ from Wicked.

Another highlight was Rachael's invitation for an audience member to join her on stage. Joshua Munroe, a familiar face to community theatre audiences in WA, was duly volunteered and danced so confidently that people suspected it had been set up (it was not).

The children and young adults from APAN were a worthy support act. From the tiniest performers in an Oliver! medley (Sebastian Coe providing a strong solo), the tremendous tappers in Newsies and 42nd Street (Bella McSporran and Hamish Briggs dancing lead), through the energy of Shout and magic of A Chorus Line, performances throughout were impressive. Vocal performances (strong through the whole show) were highlighted in a Cats sequence. Soloists included Nicholas Cruse, Madeleine Shaw, Nonie Trainor and Georgia Rodgers, with a breathtaking dance solo from lyrical dancer Channel Cahill and pizazz from Jack Dunne.

APAN is a network based organisation offering performing artists in Western Australia the chance to access high standards of independent training and show experience, and designing workshops, camps, tours, events and performances. The children performing in Musicals in Concert attend over fifty of WA's top Performing Arts Schools and come from all over WA. As of 2014, APAN also has full-time students studying Commercial Dance and Music Theatre and these students also featured in this performance.

Musicals in Concert with Rachael Beck was a special treat for Perth, a wonderful experience of the talents of Rachael Beck and a glimpse into the future of Australian music theatre.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: Michelle Shoosmith Creative Reflections Photograph