Review: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED at Auckland Music Theatre Company At Westpoint Performing Arts Centre

It's great to take time out from real life; to sit back and be entertained and leave with that 'feel-good' feeling. Auckland Music Theatre Company have provided just that.

Creator, Director, Musical Director Emma Bishop along with Choreographer Amber Dixon, have put together an original cabaret, that not only showcases the superb talent of the cast but provides a great night out.

The concept of taking well known songs and 'playing with them' to make them appealing but different is challenging but Bishop's notable music skills came to the fore. Songs were stylised into unexpected genres. Slow ballads transformed into pop genre and others into post-modern jukebox with do wapping and jazz inspiring rock songs. This is not easy to do but was achieved and delivered with aplomb.

Collaboration is always a key element when trying something new and Bishop worked her ideas through with Musical Director-Assistant Kane Welsh and Keyboardists Mark Bradley and Zac Johns.

The singing was top notch. The A Capella group arrangement of Sweet Dreams by
The Eurthymics was not only visually stunning but the singing was sensational. These musically clever pieces were admist comedy songs such as The Stalker Song, In Short and the male company singing Bring on the Men complete with men in heels, The Diva Off (an original creation) performed by Sharon Hewlett and Akshay Belas (who are the of 'real-deal' professional performing echelon) and an updated and funny rendition of 'The Four Chord' were highlights for me. However I am reluctant to point anyone out as all performers were excellent.

The T-shaped stage invites the audience in but is a challenge for the Choreographer. Amber Dixon's work ensured that the dance numbers were smoothly delivered with brilliant use of space.

Auckland Music Theatre has turned on a great night's entertainment with some of Auckland's finest new generation performers.