Julian Ovenden in Concert at Cadogan Hall, London.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Julian Ovenden’s concert at Cadogan Hall was a captivating evening of musical brilliance, full of incredible vocal versatility and prowess. The renowned actor and singer’s distinctive voice and stage presence have made him a beloved figure in the world of UK musical theatre.
Ovenden was accompanied on the piano by his talented musical director Scott Frankel – the notable Broadway composer (Grey Gardens, 2006, War Paint, 2017) who played for Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine in the 1990 movie Postcards from the Edge! He delivered a rare gem from the score Frankel wrote just for him for the musical Finding Neverland, when the show was tried out in Leicester in 2012.
The evening kicked off with the charming ‘Almost Like Being in Love’ by Lerner and Loewe, setting a delightful tone before leading into a beautiful Jerome Kern trio featuring ‘I’m Old Fashioned’, ‘Long Ago and Far Away’ and ‘All the Things You Are’, each performed with heartfelt emotion, enhanced by the terrific and comparatively large orchestra.
The mood shifted with the playful ‘Everybody’s Talkin’’ and the haunting ‘Speak Low’ (Glen Campbell, Kurt Weill). Ovenden’s rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Something Wonderful’ was a standout, showcasing his ability to convey deep, emotional complexity, and his surprise guest, West End favourite Louise Dearman, was a much-loved added bonus.
A delightful surprise came with The Jackson 5 classic ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ and Paul McCartney’s ‘My Love’, seamlessly blending pop and musical theatre. Ovenden’s rendition of Bacharach’s ‘Knowing When to Leave’ and the timeless, anonymously composed ‘Answer Me’ further highlighted his stupendous range.
The concert continued with a mix of contemporary and classic hits, including Sting’s ‘Englishman in New York’ and Bacharach’s ‘A House is Not a Home’. The Sondheim trio of ‘Not While I’m Around’, ‘Not a Day Goes By’ and ‘Take Me to the World’ was a highlight, demonstrating Ovenden’s ability to tackle complex melodies with stunning ease: his connection with the master he developed notably in Paris, playing the leading role in Sunday in the Park with George at Théâtre du Châtelet in 2013.
After the interval, Ovenden returned with a powerful performance of Lerner and Loewe’s ‘If Ever I Would Leave You’, followed by a romantic medley of Oakland and Hammerstein’s ‘I’ll Take Romance’ and Rodgers and Hart’s ‘My Romance’.
The evening took a dreamy turn when he invited the young Lily Kerhoas (currently starring as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End) onstage. Kerhoas emotionally interpreted Michel Legrand’s ‘La Valse De Lilas’ before the duo performed Lerner and Loewe’s ‘Heather on the Hill’.
The concert’s conclusion included a nostalgic trio of ‘Lonely Boy’, ‘Nature Boy’ and ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’. Ovenden’s rendition of ‘Make Someone Happy’ and the uplifting ‘Being Alive’ left the audience cheering for more.
We are looking forward to Ovenden’s return to Cadogan Hall as a special guest for Melissa Errico’s Sondheim in the City, a concert surely not to be missed.
Patrick Honoré
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