Review: THE BEST OF THE WEST END AT CHRISTMAS, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, December 13 2015

At Christmas time there appears to be numerous concerts celebrating songs from the musicals. This particular production managed to rise above the others by blending a slightly more diverse setlist with a talented cast who seemed to be having a ball onstage.

Performers Oliver Tompsett, Jacqui Scott, Rachael Wooding and Scott Davies were accompanied by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the City of Glasgow Chorus. Conducted by Roderick Dunk, this provided the perfect format for performing these much loved songs out of the context of a musical.

Normally during these kinds of concerts a performer will sing the songs from the musicals they are known for. This wasn't the case this afternoon and we were treated to Oliver Tompsett's wonderful performances of He Lives In You, Starlight Sequence and Pure Imagination. Rachael Wooding performed the title track from Fame which is always a favourite of mine to hear live. Wooding also sang Some People from Gypsy and it was a definite high point of the show for me. Jacqui Scott is always a delight to watch and she belted her way through As Long As He Needs Me, Memory and Don't Rain On My Parade.

After praising the production for not having performers sing the songs they're known for, I'm going to contradict myself and say I loved ex-Phantom Scott Davies' rendition of Music of the Night. As my friend remarked at the interval, this wasn't just a man singing a song at a concert, he became the character. Strangely, Davies seemed to retain the role of Phantom for the Christmas medley which led to a terrifying and sinister Baby It's Cold Outside!

I've seen so many performers go through the motions at concerts like this but this afternoon was enhanced hugely by the onstage banter between the singers. I personally believe that every show should end with a medley and I'm especially happy if that medley happens to be an Abba medley. My dreams came true during the encore and it couldn't have ended on a better note. The Best of the West End at Christmas ticked all the boxes and made for a very stagey and festive afternoon of entertainment!

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