The A-Z of Musicals

A spot of West End, red carpet glamour landed in Brighton’s London Road on Sunday night, when Emporium and Chocolate Box launched their new collaboration, with a couple of dozen seasoned West End performers, using an A to Z of Musicals format to showcase their not inconsiderable talents.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I bought my ticket, and with Emporiums village hall setting, eclectic furnishings and the cast arranged like harvest festival produce, there was an enthusiastic lets-put-on-a-show atmosphere. But once the performers started we were given something much more witty, slick and sophisticated, with show stopping belters, broad comedy and everything in between, even tap dancing! It would be unfair to pick any one member of the cast out as they all gave fine performances, they didn’t just sing these songs, they acted them as well. If this is a taster of the quality of show we can expect from the company in future, Brighton has some real treats in store. I could have done with more Sondheimian grit and less of the ‘Les Mis hit’  finale, but I thoroughly enjoyed the battle between the musical team, the full cast and the amplification system to win me over.
I missed Chocolate Box’s Into the Woods at the Marlborough (how did they pull that off in a venue that can feel crowded with a one man show?) So will be looking forward to its revival at Emporium, one of Brighton’s most promising venues.
Emporium
23 March
Martin Lovelock
5 stars