That’s Show Business

Every year Queensland Pops dedicate one of their concerts to show tunes and this year’s walk down Broadway and around London’s West End was one of their best. With over 80 Young Artists from the Griffith Musical Theatre course down the side of the Concert Hall and on stage, and guest artist Rob Mills, the opening selection of songs from Jesus Christ Superstar was electric. Mills blistered with “Heaven on Their Minds”, Lauren Kingham plaintively sang “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, Zac Parkes (& chorus girls) sparkled on “King Herod’s Song” and the full company, assisted by Tom Collins and Clancy Enchelmaier, raised the noise level to the stratosphere on the title song. The thunderous applause was rhapsodic and this was only the opening.

Mills, the cheeky  chap with a larrikin edge, effortlessly nailed the big-band-swing of Hairspray’s “It’s Hairspray”, did some impressive moves on “Dancing Through Life” (Wicked) assisted by a bevy of girls, and dueted with Jackson Head on the amusing “Agony” (Into the Woods).

Hamilton’s “You’ll Be Back” was a welcome inclusion, which he developed into a bit of a sing-a-long, whilst “I Had a Life” (Ghost the Musical) with Samantha Stratton and Enchelmaier had terrific power and energy and closed the first-act on a high.

The Les Misérables second-act selection was undoubtedly the highlight of the show, with Griffith Musical Theatre students repeating their performances from their recent Conservatorium production. Not only was it spine-tingling thrilling but also emotional.

The orchestra had fun with the twenties-sounding overture from The Drowsy Chaperone, whilst saxophonist Eddie Bray displayed his incredible virtuosity on The Beatles “Hey Jude”, a show-tune ring-in.

The concert concluded with a half-a-dozen tunes from the sixties parody Grease. Mills repeated his “Sandy”, which he claims to have sung over 500 times, Ashlea Sloman tore the heart out of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”, whilst “We Go Together” with the company had the Concert Hall rock ‘n’ rollin’ like it was party time.

Genial host Patrick Pickett was in his element trading quips with Mills, but it was the orchestra with their dirty guitar riffs in Superstar, and brilliant brass work on Gypsy’s Overture who elevated the standard of the show.

Peter Pinne