Culture Theatre

Hugh Maynard: Something Inside So Strong at the Hippodrome

Hugh Maynard: Something Inside So Strong at the Hippodrome | Theatre review

Hugh Maynard is known to audiences for his extensive experience in musical theatre. He played various roles in some of the most successful West End shows, including The Lion King and Jesus Christ Superstar. He is currently starring in Miss Saigon at Prince Edward Theatre, where he charms audiences with what is considered one of his best performances to date. After so many successes in musical theatre, releasing a solo album was the next logical step for Maynard.

An intimate concert showcasing songs from his debut album was held at the London Hippodrome in front of an enthusiastic crowd this week. Something Inside So Strong marks the beginning of Hugh Maynard’s solo career and it covers a broad-ranging repertoire that navigates smoothly from soul to rock and comprises, naturally, a good dose of musical theatre pieces. Maynard confidently presents renditions of popular hits from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Seal, among others, always adding his own personal touch to their classic songs.

The pieces selected for the album are clearly ones that Maynard genuinely enjoys and feels connected to, because he delivers each one with real transport and feeling, making the best use of his dynamic voice. This taster of his talent reveals his aptitude for drawing in the crowd as a solo artist; it proves that he can create a captivating atmosphere and get the audience clapping and singing along, or listening intently to his slower pieces.

Supported by fellow West End co-stars Kwang-Ho Hong and Rachelle Ann Go, whose soulful performances rouse the audience further, Maynard offers an evening charged with emotion and high energy. There is no questioning Hugh’s vocal abilities, which, combined with his magnetic presence on stage, foretells that he will be giving many more successful solo performances in future.

Mersa Auda

Something Inside So Strong was a one-off event at London Hippodrome on 25th March 2015.

More in Theatre

The Midnight Bell at Sadler’s Wells

Christina Yang

King of Pangea at King’s Head Theatre

Dionysia Afolabi

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre

Thomas Messner

The Lost Music of Auschwitz at Bloomsbury Theatre

Will Snell

Fiddler on the Roof at Barbican Theatre

Cristiana Ferrauti

The Perfect Bite at Gaucho City of London

Maggie O'Shea

Letters from Max at Hampstead Theatre

Selina Begum

The Frogs at Southwark Playhouse

Jim Compton-Hall

“Technique is only a vessel, what truly moves people is honesty, fragility, courage”: Adam Palka and Carolina López Moreno on Faust

Constance Ayrton