On Sunday 5th May the lovely Rob Houchen's West End Does company celebrated their one year anniversary by hosting West End Does: Magic of Animation 2 at Cadogen Hall nearly a year to the day after they opened with West End Does: Magic of Animation at the same venue last year. I loved last year's concert so I was in no doubt as soon as this was announced that they were going to do another version this year I just had to go.
This year's line up included some old favourites from last year in the forms of Carrie Hope Fletcher (Heathers, Les Mis), Celinde Schoenmaker (Phantom, Les Mis) and Bradley Jaden (Wicked, Les Mis). Scott Paige (Eugenius) and Dan Buckley (Eugenius) were the co-hosts for the night and they were so funny as they don't take themselves too seriously and play up to the audience it's just so much fun. Joining them were Laura Baldwin (Waitress, Eugenius), Rachel John (Hamilton), Jenny O'Leary (Heathers) and John Ellis (Phantom), as well as Rob Houchen himself (Eugenius, Les Mis). Also performing were the Stagebox Musical Theatre company.
This once again was so much fun to watch and the talent these people have is phenomenal. I do feel like there were some more unknown and unusual songs sung which was very interesting. Also stupidly, I forgot to bring cash with me so I couldn't by a programme so had no idea of the song choices so had a pleasant surprise with each selection. There were a few little changes from last year which were the presence of dancers on stage who were amazing there was four of them and they are insanely talented. Also the addition of a projector onto the wall telling you each song and which film it was from which I thought was so helpful because I didn't know some of them.
We opened with the gorgeous Walt Disney Wish Upon a Star which is incredible to hear by orchestra. John opened with Better Than I from Joseph which isn't one I know if I'm honest but John has this powerful voice that knows no boundaries and it was incredible. We then had Scott and Dan do their bit of presenting and introducing the show and informing us of what was to come as they did throughout the night at various intervals. Bradley than sang one of the best Disney songs in I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan it's just such an iconic song and Bradley is amazing he has such a versatile voice which was highlighted throughout the evening. Another highlight of the evening was Scott singing Poor Unfortunate Souls from the Little Mermaid, I can't imagine how much he has been dying to that song and again his voice is incredible. Also in the first half we had the Stagebox Musical Theatre Company sing an Anastasia medley with the help of Carrie Hope Fletcher, I always forget just how good Carrie's voice is then I hear her live and I'm in shock all the time. We also had Carrie sing When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 which I thought was a good choice because it's such a pretty song that's never thought of. Laura sang A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella which was gorgeous Laura has such a dreamy pretty voice that you could listen to all day. Rachel sang Colours of the Wind from Pocahotas which is such a classic Disney song and she sang it amazingly. Celinde and Bradley also sang The Prayer from The Quest For Camelot, I adore this song it was beautiful the blend of their voices was gorgeous and I loved it so much, again Bradley showcasing his versatile voice. The first half concluded with a Prince of Egypt double header starting with John Ellis singing Heaven's Eyes which isn't one I'm familiar with but it was good nonetheless. The last song was When You Believe which was sung by Celinde and Rachel and this was incredible again the blend of voices and the powerfulness of the song was just amazing.
The second half opened with a TV theme tune medley which included themes from The Simpsons and The Flinstones. Jenny O'Leary and Carrie Hope Fletcher opened the second half in style with the Elton John classic I'm Still Standing which appeared in the film Sing ! so that got everyone into the mood and it was just so much fun. Rob Houchen made his appearance singing Fire on Fire from Watership Down which I'm not familiar with but his voice is amazing and it was a very powerful song. Jenny sang Hold On Together from the Land Before Time again not one I'm familiar with but she has such an amazing voice. Celinde and Rob then sang Somewhere Out There from American Tail which I've never heard of, but their voices were lovely together and loved the littl dance they had together on stage. They decided to do a Musicals section which included songs that had been added to the stage musical versions of animated films which I thought was such a clever idea. Dan Buckley started with Proud of Your Boy from Aladdin and oh my gosh his voice was incredible completely not what I was expecting and I was blown away by it. Then a mini Eugenius reunion happened with Rob, Laura, Dan and Scott singing If Only from The Little Mermaid which I've decided I want to see on stage after hearing that song. The section was ended with Bradley, Laura and John singing Who I'd Be from the Shrek musical which I completely forgot was a thing but I really enjoyed it. Then Carrie came and blew the whole show out of the water with her rendition of Holding on For A Hero from Shrek 2 she was incredible I don't have enough superbatives to describe how good this was, everyone was cheering and clapping along. Then the whole ensemble got together on stage to sing Can't Stop the Feeling from Trolls which is such a feel good song everyone again was clapping along. Stagebox then sung Can You Feel The Love from Lion King and I can't emphasise how talented those children are I really hope they go a long way because they are so good. We ended with The Circle of Life with Rachel John singing those iconic opening lines, it was such an amazing song to end the night on because it's so iconic and it was so much fun. Also a lovely added touch when we sat down we had a little packet of sweets that West End Does had put togther for everyone which is such a lovely gesture.
I adore concerts like this because it gives you a chance to see some of your favourites in the West End in a totally different fun environment and a much cheaper price than some theatre offerings. It was as good as last year I would go to more of the West End Does concerts because they are so much fun. I really really enjoyed it and can't wait to see more.
To keep up with the West End Does concerts check out their website and social media channels to find out the news when it happens.
Website- West End Does
Twitter- @westenddoes
Instagram- westenddoes
Check out my post from last year's West End Does: Magic of Animation here
Until next time
Stacey x
This once again was so much fun to watch and the talent these people have is phenomenal. I do feel like there were some more unknown and unusual songs sung which was very interesting. Also stupidly, I forgot to bring cash with me so I couldn't by a programme so had no idea of the song choices so had a pleasant surprise with each selection. There were a few little changes from last year which were the presence of dancers on stage who were amazing there was four of them and they are insanely talented. Also the addition of a projector onto the wall telling you each song and which film it was from which I thought was so helpful because I didn't know some of them.
We opened with the gorgeous Walt Disney Wish Upon a Star which is incredible to hear by orchestra. John opened with Better Than I from Joseph which isn't one I know if I'm honest but John has this powerful voice that knows no boundaries and it was incredible. We then had Scott and Dan do their bit of presenting and introducing the show and informing us of what was to come as they did throughout the night at various intervals. Bradley than sang one of the best Disney songs in I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan it's just such an iconic song and Bradley is amazing he has such a versatile voice which was highlighted throughout the evening. Another highlight of the evening was Scott singing Poor Unfortunate Souls from the Little Mermaid, I can't imagine how much he has been dying to that song and again his voice is incredible. Also in the first half we had the Stagebox Musical Theatre Company sing an Anastasia medley with the help of Carrie Hope Fletcher, I always forget just how good Carrie's voice is then I hear her live and I'm in shock all the time. We also had Carrie sing When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 which I thought was a good choice because it's such a pretty song that's never thought of. Laura sang A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella which was gorgeous Laura has such a dreamy pretty voice that you could listen to all day. Rachel sang Colours of the Wind from Pocahotas which is such a classic Disney song and she sang it amazingly. Celinde and Bradley also sang The Prayer from The Quest For Camelot, I adore this song it was beautiful the blend of their voices was gorgeous and I loved it so much, again Bradley showcasing his versatile voice. The first half concluded with a Prince of Egypt double header starting with John Ellis singing Heaven's Eyes which isn't one I'm familiar with but it was good nonetheless. The last song was When You Believe which was sung by Celinde and Rachel and this was incredible again the blend of voices and the powerfulness of the song was just amazing.
The second half opened with a TV theme tune medley which included themes from The Simpsons and The Flinstones. Jenny O'Leary and Carrie Hope Fletcher opened the second half in style with the Elton John classic I'm Still Standing which appeared in the film Sing ! so that got everyone into the mood and it was just so much fun. Rob Houchen made his appearance singing Fire on Fire from Watership Down which I'm not familiar with but his voice is amazing and it was a very powerful song. Jenny sang Hold On Together from the Land Before Time again not one I'm familiar with but she has such an amazing voice. Celinde and Rob then sang Somewhere Out There from American Tail which I've never heard of, but their voices were lovely together and loved the littl dance they had together on stage. They decided to do a Musicals section which included songs that had been added to the stage musical versions of animated films which I thought was such a clever idea. Dan Buckley started with Proud of Your Boy from Aladdin and oh my gosh his voice was incredible completely not what I was expecting and I was blown away by it. Then a mini Eugenius reunion happened with Rob, Laura, Dan and Scott singing If Only from The Little Mermaid which I've decided I want to see on stage after hearing that song. The section was ended with Bradley, Laura and John singing Who I'd Be from the Shrek musical which I completely forgot was a thing but I really enjoyed it. Then Carrie came and blew the whole show out of the water with her rendition of Holding on For A Hero from Shrek 2 she was incredible I don't have enough superbatives to describe how good this was, everyone was cheering and clapping along. Then the whole ensemble got together on stage to sing Can't Stop the Feeling from Trolls which is such a feel good song everyone again was clapping along. Stagebox then sung Can You Feel The Love from Lion King and I can't emphasise how talented those children are I really hope they go a long way because they are so good. We ended with The Circle of Life with Rachel John singing those iconic opening lines, it was such an amazing song to end the night on because it's so iconic and it was so much fun. Also a lovely added touch when we sat down we had a little packet of sweets that West End Does had put togther for everyone which is such a lovely gesture.
To keep up with the West End Does concerts check out their website and social media channels to find out the news when it happens.
Website- West End Does
Twitter- @westenddoes
Instagram- westenddoes
Check out my post from last year's West End Does: Magic of Animation here
Until next time
Stacey x
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