Michael Ball & Alfie Boe

This vocal pairing is becoming something of a seasonal treat and what a treat it is.Their appeal is certainly to the more mature audience and knowing this they tailor their set to suit. But last night at The Brighton Centre there was definitely a sense that the two had sat down and decided to create an evening music that, whilst perhaps outside their normal repertoire, was music that they loved. So the evening contained some real surprises – like Status Quo and a massive and very impressive Queen medley. Yes Alfie and Michael rocked!

Of course there were those numbers that their given audience would expect and no doubt complain about if missed, so the ubiquitous Les Miserable section was there and a decent spread of other show tunes including The Lion King, beautifully started by the five strong backing vocal section and The Greatest Showman. Ball also surrendered his usual solo, Love Changes Everything, to a duet with Boe which actually worked well. This of course due to the exceptional way their two voices marry.

The evening was packed with favourites, a Blues Brothers medley and to finish a selection of Christmas numbers that had everyone in a seasonal mood.

Ball and Boe tour with an incredible 14 piece orchestra of talented musicians and five superb vocalist to enrich that full throttle sound, a sound that at times, because of the rocky elements of the set, seemed just a touch too loud.

Ball is a relaxed performer, confident and charming. Boe takes longer to ease into the evening and the close up live video elements of this very slick audio-visual presentation did seem to reveal that he was actually using a tele-prompter for his lyrics. It showed in his face and it was some time into the set before he actually smiled. Ball grinned like the Cheshire Cat throughout.

All in all though this is superbly presented entertainment from two real talents, the whole show beautifully orchestrated and directed and very satisfying.

Andrew Kay

The Brighton Centre

2 December

[rating: 4/4]