BWW Reviews: CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG With Rachael Beck And Brian Castles–Onion Raises The Roof Of the Sydney Opera House

Monday 22nd December 2014, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Superb singer Rachael Beck and charismatic conductor Brian Castles-Onion thrill the audience at The Sydney Opera House's CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG, the second of the shows as part of the CHRISTMAS AT THE HOUSE series.

Joined by the Sydney International Orchestra and Christmas Choir, Castles-Onion's endearing cheeky manner gets the audience involved straight away. After a series of warm ups, jokes and even commenting on the choir's hosiery, the audience is encouraged to join in on classic carols and Christmas songs before the choir is featured.

For the CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG, Castles-Onion is joined by the talented Rachael Beck. In addition to a dazzling selection of gowns, Beck has an amazing voice with the flexibility to handle a wide range of styles and the professionalism and showmanship to deliver the songs with an understanding of the lyrics and an energetic stage presence of a seasoned performer that understands that facial expression is important and shouldn't be blocked by a microphone.

Beck presents crowd pleasers like When a Child is Born with a gentleness and hope in her tone and expression that other performers lack. She clearly enjoys what she is doing, grabbing a violinist to dance during a country themed Christmas song, running up to the rear of the stage to sing with the Choir and engaging in playful banter with Castles-Onion. Compared to the JINGLE BELL ROCK show, Beck matches Castles-Onion's sass with ease and I look forward to seeing these to collaborate in future.

The show is a blend of Beck, Castles-Onion and the choir presenting a range of Christmas classics and inviting the audience to participate. For most, the audience have been provided a helpful Song Book with Castles-Onion deciding on how much of a song may be sung, but there are a few well known songs not included in the sheets that the audience are encouraged to join in with. The performance numbers presented by the Beck, Castles-Onion and the Choir include Australian William J James' The Silver Stars, a Gospel rendition of Mary's Boy Child, Winter Wonderland and Once Upon A December from ANASTASIA, amongst others, show the diversity of the song selection and the flexibility of the performers.

Whilst the CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG was only on for 3 performances this year, hopefully Rachel Beck and Brian Castles-Onion will come together next Christmas as this was a fabulous performance, deserving of the standing ovation they received.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG

CHRISTMAS AT THE HOUSE

Sydney Opera House

22 -23 December 2014