Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical – St James Studio

The cast of Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical at the St James Theatre Studio

Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical was performed at the St James Theatre Studio, London.

Initially planned as a one-off performance, this second performance of Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical at the swish, perfect-for-the-occasion studio space at the St James Theatre, was a worthy case of ‘back by popular demand.’

That the show was given a second airing comes as no surprise given the vocal talent and musicianship on display, the production positively glowing in the cast’s obvious adoration of the man himself, Ivor Novello. This year marks the 120th anniversary of the composer, born David Ivor Davies in Wales in 1893, not that anyone really needs an excuse to dust off his amazing back catalogue, such is its lasting quality and consistent class.

Hosted and narrated by Russell Grant, sitting in the corner like an over-cheeky schoolboy banished to the naughty chair, the evening grabbed the interest from the start with poignant, archive footage of Novello’s funeral back in 1951.That the imagery wasn’t used again during the rest of the show was a missed opportunity, as it would have added valuable visual insight to the musical content for those not familiar with the man.

The quality of the numbers performed more than compensated for that oversight though, Katy Treharne, Rhidian Marc, Annatt Bass and Martin Milnes all revelling in covering a creative mix of lesser-known Novello compositions, and, of course, his most popular.

Of the early numbers, there was none sang finer than ‘I Can Give You the Starlight’ (Ivor Novello/Christopher Hassall) by Treharne, a seasoned West End performer who has appeared as alternate Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and toured extensively.

If pressed to name a Novello number, a lot of people would probably come up with ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’, which he composed in 1914 (words by Lena Gilbert Ford,) and which became a much-loved, stirring anthem not just for those caught up in the carnage of the First World War, but the second conflict too.

Given the diverse vocal talent on stage, artistic director Ross Leadbeater was able to try numerous combinations which lent the production the necessary variation in style and tone. Even Grant got his own solo spot, performing ‘Primrose’, from the musical The Dancing Years, with all the cheekiness you’d expect from the undoubted star of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing. Grant’s constantly mischievous presence aside, another bonus was the appearance of Robert Meadmore.

The only dubious moment in the whole show came when Treharne sang a crude and very rude ditty-esque number, with, it has to be said admirable relish. The sound you could hear during this slice of vocal vulgarity was probably Novello revolving in his grave at very high speed. If the first half had been a delightful reminder of Novello’s songwriting talent, the second, a compilation of new and old musical songs, felt like a little bit of a kop-out. A thoroughly entertaining one, but a creative kop out nonetheless – more Novello would have preferable. The finale though, ‘We’ll Gather Lilacs’, sung by Treharne and Bass, was just sublime. Being able to bask in the beauty of that song alone made the visit to the St James well worthwhile.

Derek Smith