Balanced by the audio mixing-desk perhaps a few decibel notches louder than would usually be prudent on a typical evening at the Thailand Cultural Centre, blazing electric guitars will be ringing alongside the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (BSO) when musical maestro Michael England makes his third welcome visit to Thailand. The British conductor became an instant crowd favourite when he appeared with the BSO in 2013 and certainly seems to have established himself as a bona fide annual fixture for the orchestra's continuing love affair with West End or Broadway smash hits, which will take place again in "Musicals Rock" on Oct 21.
Always bringing with him a special, excitable energy and a stunning vocal complement to the platform, England's pedigree in this field is exemplary and covers all styles and eras of theatrical showbusiness. This year it is the turn of high-octane rock musicals and jovial audience singalong jukebox musicals to entertain and thrill fun-seeking Bangkokians. There will be three young singing stars from London's fabled theatreland presenting some 20 classic numbers, including hits from Mamma Mia!, Rent, Fame, Wicked, Evita, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar, and -- last but not least -- We Will Rock You. This may very well take the roof off as everyone present will inevitably chorus together We Are The Champions at the climax of the extravaganza.
Between them Rachel Wooding, Jenna Lee-James and Oliver Tompsett have trodden the boards in most of the record-breaking shows featured in this special concert in honour of His Majesty the King's 88th birthday. Their generous set list spans the entire gamut of emotions, from slow, smoochy love ballads such as Whitney Houston's signature tune I Will Always Love You, to no-holds-barred all-out rockers including Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror (from the London jukebox musical Thriller -- Live). Of course, it isn't only the ears which will be amply sated by the sumptuous offering, but also every bit as much the eyes. In short, expect not only the music to be "loud".
As the band strikes up the first explosive riffs and chords of the Mamma Mia! overture we may also be reminded instantly of some of the most outrageous wardrobes associated with the 70s/80s culture of haute couture in the extravagant, extrovert world of pop glamour. No band had ever looked more otherworldly than Swedish super group ABBA when they were up on stage at their commercial peak. Although it is most probable that the quietly spoken wit of debonair conductor Michael England will be reflected in his relatively modest and traditional attire on the podium, expect at least a hint of visual razzmatazz from vocalist entertainers Wooding, Lee-James and Tompsett -- especially as the first half of the concert is set to go out with a real bang with two major anthems from drag-queen comedy movie-then-musical Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert, Gloria Gaynor's hard-hitting I Will Survive and The Pet Shop Boys' punchy, synthesised hit Go West. The way-over-the-top costuming in this riotous send-up, set in the Australian Outback, makes even ABBA's risqué outfits look sartorially conservative!
Following the intermission, which will provide a brief opportunity to cool off a little outside, the heated pace will then be quickly resumed as the second part of the performance kicks off with the catchy, raucous, and most appropriately programmed One Night In Bangkok -- arguably the standout number from Chess. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson's impressive post-ABBA collaboration with master lyricist Tim Rice was first a big selling concept-rock-album in 1983 and later of course a long-running stage phenomenon worldwide.
Meanwhile, Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Evita Suite and Jesus Christ Superstar Overture will display the powerful combined forces of the BSO alone, giving Wooding, Lee-James and Tompsett a chance to catch some breath themselves before proceeding to emulate other legendary voices. A certain diva called Madonna reignited interest in Evita with the 1996 film adaptation and Buenos Aires simply pulsates with brisk, bristling Latino energy. By contrast, Frankie Valli may be universally known for his amazing rock vocals on the title track to Grease, but his two decades with The Four Seasons created numerous other memorable tunes such as sentimental reverie My Eyes Adored You, re-popularised in recent times by the show Jersey Boys and still capable of inducing puppy-love tears each and every time.
And whilst Idina Menzel's utterly mind-blowing singing on Defying Gravity from Stephen Schwartz's miraculous contemporary musical Wicked may well inspire a first-half highlight, it will be left to the legacy of what many regard as the most incredible natural rock voice in history to wrap up the show. Radio Ga Ga and Somebody To Love alone would surely secure the vocal reputation of the great late Freddie Mercury and it is from this point that the audience should feel the urge to join in with the shared vocal fun. With a further Mamma Mia! medley encore in store to extend the euphoria, just ensure that you have selected your very favourite evening party frock before you go to the show. As for ultra-high platform heels? Well, yes, they are advisable for full effect, but optional -- it's up to you.
- "MUSICALS ROCK" with Michael England & Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Wednesday Oct 21 at 8pm — Thailand Cultural Centre.
- Tickets from 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 baht are now available at all ThaiTicketmajor outlets or by calling www.thaiticketmajor.com.
- For further information, please contact Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation at www.bangkoksymphony.org or on 02-255-6617–8, 02-254-4954.
