The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema & Tv
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
      • Shows
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th Birthday Celebration at Royal Albert Hall Online

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th Birthday Celebration at Royal Albert Hall Online | Theatre review
2 May 2020
Sophia Moss
Avatar
Sophia Moss
2 May 2020

22 years ago, the biggest names in musical theatre came together to celebrate composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th birthday. The show featured hits from Webber’s musicals, including numbers from Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita and Starlight Express, as well as his more classical Pie Jesu.

The 1998 performance was immortalised on video and has now become available to stream for a limited time on Youtube. The recording has a classic 90s feel to it – whether that be down to the costumes or the video quality is hard to pinpoint – but it does offer a unique opportunity to see the likes of Sarah Brightman performing live on stage.

Brightman may have been criticised for her acting, but her ethereal, siren-like voice is magical in her rendition of The Music of the Night. If you were too young to see her playing Christine on the West End in the 80s, this live recording lets you experience highlights from the musical. The genuinely heartfelt and beautifully performed All I Ask Of You duet performed by Brightman and Michael Ball is gorgeous, while flashing and multicoloured lights as the phantom plays the organ gives this section a theatrical flair.

The stage is set up as an illuminated half infinity symbol with two shining paths leading towards two doors, while the walls are subtly decorated with musical notes. A  gold and black earth hangs at the back of the stage, perhaps symbolising the universality of music. From a shiny silver suit and rollerblades in Light at the End of the Tunnel to Glenn Close reprising her original Norma Desmond costume from Sunset Boulevard, the costumes stay true to the original musicals and add to the feeling that we are seeing snapshots from the actual musicals.

This may not be a recent performance, but Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Celebration feels very relevant in today’s world. Given that we can’t go to the theatre in person, it’s never been more important to celebrate these shows and the people who helped create them. Right now, we could all do with a celebration, so transport yourself back in time and watch the West End come to life from your own home.

★★★★★

Sophia Moss
Photo: Really Useful Group

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Royal Albert Hall Celebration is available to watch on The Shows Must Go On! YouTube channel from 7pm UK time on 1st May 2020. For further information visit Andrew Lloyd Webber’s website here.

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels

★★★★★
Brooke Snowe
Read More

Redemption Room at Secret Theatre Online

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Rice! at Omnibus Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

24, 23, 22 at Chronic Insanity Online

★★★★★
Samuel Nicholls
Read More

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Southwark Playhouse Online

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

Typical at Soho Theatre

★★★★★
Ella Satin
Read More

Grimm Tales for Fragile Times and Broken People

★★★★★
Emma-Jane Betts
Read More

Gatsby at Cadogan Hall: An interview with Jodie Steele and Ross William Wild

Michael Higgs
Read More

Living Record Festival: Ain’t No Female Romeo

★★★★★
Brooke Snowe
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Sophia Moss

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Royal Albert Hall Celebration

★★★★★

Dates

1st May - 3rd May 2020

Price

Free

Links & directions

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteNo map

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Maximo Park – Nature Always Wins
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • I’m Your Man (Ich bin dein Mensch)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Black Bear
    ★★★★★
    Film festivals
  • Your Honor
    ★★★★★
    sky
  • Spotlight: Lauren Everet and Soup Kitchen London, striving for food security and social equality
    Food & Drinks
  • Petite Maman
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Celebrate International Women’s Day with a Bombay Sapphire Cocktails & Create masterclass
    Food & Drinks
  • Postdata – Twin Flames
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Daniel Brühl on his directorial debut Next Door: “It was magical; I didn’t get a ‘no’ from anyone.”
    Berlinale
  • Moxie
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Souad
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • We (Nous)
    ★★★★★
    Berlinale
  • Bicep at Saatchi Gallery Online
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Winter Lake
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

The Winter’s Tale at the Royal Opera House Online | Theatre review
BBC Culture in Quarantine: Othello at the RSC Online | Theatre review