DOUBLE REVIEW - 'BEYOND THE BARRICADE' AND 'MOTOWN'S GREATEST HITS: HOW SWEET IT IS'
Beyond the Barricade
Performance reviewed: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - Thursday 18 April 2013
Reviewed by Kyle Pedley
Approaching it's 15th year in existence, Beyond the Barricade is the longest running and amongst the most popular musical touring concerts in the UK. Comprising of a quartet of experienced, proven stars of the West End and beyond (the two ladies performing on the evening we reviewed, Rebecca Vere and Katie Leeming, both feature on the soundtrack for the motion picture version of Les Miserables, for instance) what is evident from the outset and throughout is the genuine love and passion the team involved have for the industry and medium of musicals, and compared to other more perfunctory concerts of this ilk, the whole evening and affair comes across very much as a labour of love. The current incarnation of the tour features a satisfying and eclectic mix of hits from shows including the likes of The Lion King, Blood Brothers, Miss Saigon, Carousel, Phantom of the Opera as well as less prolific or instantly recognisable productions such as Chess and Godspell. Co-founder of the show, quarter member and endearing compere David Fawcett guides the evening along with warmth and wit, allowing for a well-judged amount of history and reasoning behind the show itself and the numbers/productions selected, peppered with entertaining, family-friendly and winningly localised banter.
