The Songs of my Life: An Evening with Peter Polycarpou, at the Garrick Theatre
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One Night Performance at the Garrick Theatre, shown on Sunday 11th December 2011
Review by Fiona Lister
Last Sunday evening the Garrick Theatre (home to Chicago) opened its doors to a starry night of exquisitely executed musical theatre. Character actor and philanthropist, Peter Polycarpou, dazzled a packed house with his unique interpretation of songs that have inspired and influenced him the most. Peter also encouraged the audience to help him raise money for the Grand Order of Water Rats, a fraternity that is most associated with helping performers and their dependants, who because of old age or disability are unable to work. This remarkable brotherhood raises funds and assists Guy's Hospital; Roy Castle's Cause for Hope; International Spinal Research; Macmillan Cancer Fund; Moorfields Eye Hospital; Order of St. John; Brinsworth House and many other amazing organisations.
Together with special guests, including Eve Polycarpou (Peter’s sister) and a talented chorus and youth choir of students from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and Arts Educational, the Garrick was filled to capacity with the most inspiring mellifluous harmonies and variations in music I’ve heard during one evening.
Peter first appeared in the Original London Cast of Les Misérables in 1985 at the Barbican as a member of the ensemble and eventually played the roles of Grantaire and Thénardier over at the Palace Theatre. He went on to spend two years at the RSC playing Aaron in Deborah Warner's Titus Andronicus, both in Stratford and London and toured Europe with this double Olivier award-winning production. Other RSC work included: The Jew of Malta (Calymath); A Question of Geography (Micha); and The New Inn by Ben Johnson. In 1989 he landed the plum role of John in the blockbuster musical Miss Saigon at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Peter sang in the grand finale for the 25th Year Anniversary celebrations of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. His television credits include the role of Chris Theodopoulopoudos(Pauline Quirke's jailbird husband in the highly popular television sitcom Birds Of A Feather) and appearances in movies such as the role of Domingo Mercante in Evita alongside Madonna; Ali Hakim in Oklahoma!, and L.B. Mayer in De-Lovely. Peter’s most current supporting role is Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd (alongside Love Story producer Michael Ball as Sweeney Todd) at Chichester Festival Theatre. Jonathan Kent’s superb revival of Sondheim’s bloodthirsty masterpiece is due to transfer to the Adelphi Theatre in March 2012. This is definitely a show to look out for. After seeing the devilish production you will never be able to look at home baked pies in the same way again!
Peter Polycarpou is dynamite on stage, both as a singer and as an entertainer. The different musical numbers he chose to perform worked because they are songs he believes passionately in; they are songs that have shaped his career and marked significant points in his life. They are memorable songs we know and love by composers and lyricists including: Randy Newman; Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (Carousel); Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Les Misérables and Miss Saigon). In between each song Peter recounted interesting anecdotes and snapshots of his life. Whether Peter was discussing his passion for Jolson or his love for certain songs, he is a charming raconteur. I can’t help but think of him as a hybrid between Bob Hope and Bob Hoskins. There was also a real sense of nostalgia about his act, which was heightened by the distant, ghostly rumble of the tube trains passing by beneath the Garrick, one of London’s oldest theatres (first opened on 24 April 1889).
The audience was moved to tears by Polycarpou’s rendition of Johanna, a song he sings from Sweeney Todd, and Empty Chairs from Les Misérables, after which he performed Thénardier’s famous Master of the House with Claire Moore in the role of Mrs Thénardier. Everyone cheered and laughed at his ingenious take on the greasy, crooked inn-keeper, cleverly playing this role as a Greek kebab-toting restaurateur. He flitted seamlessly from one character to the next and made sure his student ensemble and choir were put firmly in the spotlight. The fabulous Jos Slovick, whose voice held everyone captivated at Stiles and Drewe’s recent charity gala West End première of Soho Cinders, was invited to sing a most delightful version of Phil’s Song/Summer’s Day from Love Story with Rebecca Trehearn.
Peter invited the celebrated, award-winning Hannah Waddingham to join him on stage. Hannah has just finished her run as The Wicked Witch of The West in Lord Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz. Looking glamorous and radiant in a long black gown, the glacial blonde towered over Peter as she sang a comedy duet with him, The Song That Goes Like This, written by Eric Idle from the musical comedy Spamalot. Hannah originally played the role of The Lady of The Lake in this musical opposite Sir Galahad (played by Christopher Sieber and later by Michael Xavier and Simon Lipkin), a role that won her an Olivier nomination. Peter Polycarpou introduced Hannah’s next song, a solo entitled Back to Before from Ragtime The Musical.
One of the most show-stopping pieces was Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera, performed by Simon Bowman (credits include: Marius in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s RSC’s production of Les Misérables with the original cast at the Palace Theatre London). Simon has played the role of Raoul and the Phantom over at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Hearing him sing one of the most romantic memorable songs of our day was an unforgettable experience.
Stuart Matthew Price (currently starring as Stix in Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) was invited by Peter onto the stage. Stuart is a rising star of musical theatre and has appeared as Riff Raff in the European tour of The Rocky Horror Show. Most notably, he has worked with the exceptional musical composer and lyricist Dougal Irvine on Dougal’s Edinburgh production of Departure Lounge which won the 2008 MTM:UK Award for best music at the Edinburgh Festival, after which it ran at the New York Summer Play Festival. Departure Lounge had a terrific run last year at the recently opened Waterloo East Theatre.
Rebecca Trehearn (roles include Jenny in Love Story at the Duchess Theatre; Rose in Aspects of Love at the Menier Chocolate Factory), gave an outstanding performance with Claire Moore in Miss Saigon’s I Still Believe (Claire’s leading roles include Christine in The Phantom of the Opera http://www.clairemoore.info/). This was certainly one of the best duets in the show. Rebecca’s next exciting project will be appearing as ensemble/understudying Molly in Ghost.
Peter welcomed Tyrone Huntley onto the stage. Tyrone is a hugely engaging, angelic young star who trained at Mountview Academy of Performing Arts and is playing the role of TJ in Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy which tours in September 2012. Peter spurred his young guest on with a Randy Newman song entitled Lonely at the Top.
Musical student, Samuel Nunn who is studying in his first year at Mountview stunned everyone. Samuel has performed the role of Jean Valjean under Peter’s direction several times. Last week was no exception when he sang his rendition of Bring Him Home to a mesmerised audience. A song like this takes a lot of skill to pull off, since Valjean is written for a much older lead actor, but Samuel performed this with maturity and panache.
Produced by Stevee Davies and Paulden Productions (Matt Leventhall and Adam Paulden), The Songs of my Life lifted the veil on love, solitude, loneliness and laughter and paid tribute to some of our greatest composers, lyricists and young rising musical stars. Cressida Carré’s choreography was fabulous, particularly in King of Broadway.
Robert Emery accompanied Peter Polycarpou on the piano. Bare-footed and dressed in velvet, the twenty-eight year old played every show tune with total fluidity, hopping from one musical number to another and leaping to his feet, bobbing and dancing on the spot like an excited gerbil. Emery, at such a young age, is the personal Musical Director for Russell Watson and has conducted all over the world, including conducting for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Japanese Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has recently worked on Betwixt at the Ambassadors Theatre. Click here to read more about Robert’s incredible career.
Eve Polycarpou gave a spellbinding performance of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face accompanied on keyboard by Stephen D. Fletcher. Eve has a broad career in musical theatre and in 2009 was nominated for the Manchester Evening News Award for Best Actress for her role as Nehrjas in Place of the End. Eve has worked on television shows including Jonathan Creek and Inspector Morse. Watch out for Eve in 2012 when she tours with her 25th year Anniversary Show Martha and Eve.
Joining the Guest Artists were the fantastic Principal Ensemble including: Jos Slovick; Matthew Roncetti; Matthew Schouten; Emma Kingston; Katie Shearman; Charlie Walsh; Nerine Skinner and Rebekah Hinds.
The grand finale featured a rendition of Seasons of Love together with the ensemble. Hannah Waddingham in particular, looked in her element singing this powerful song. The final encore was Irving Berlin’s infamous What’ll I Do, which was perfect, considering it’s the theme tune to Birds of a Feather. The audience rose to their feet and cheered very loudly indeed.
I walked off into the cold December night with a broad smile and raised spirits. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening.
Peter Polycarpou is one of our most celebrated character actors and is proving a great mentor and teacher to future generations of young emerging stars. Let’s just hope that Nimax Theatres invites Peter to put on another show like this one next year. What an enchanting, memorable night out.
Peter will be reprising his role of Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Adelphi Theatre next year. The show previews from Saturday 10th March 2012 and opens on 20th March 2012. Don’t miss this incredible production starring Michael Ball (Sweeney Todd) and Imelda Staunton (Mrs Lovett). Please book tickets through The Really Useful Theatre Group by CLICKING HERE.
