Review by Izzy Tierney
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first West End Musical concert of 2025 is all about celebrating love, with big heart-shaped balloons filling the Lyric Theatre's stage as Hades relinquishes control for just one, special night. What better way to shake the Monday blues than listening to a bunch of gorgeous voices sing a bunch of gorgeous songs?
As West End Musical Brunch continues into its sixth successful year, they now regularly produce seasonal concert events, with West End Musical Halloween and West End Musical Christmas already lined up for later this year. Hosting this Valentine’s Day edition was West End icon Aimie Atkinson, whose beautiful voice, radiant enthusiasm and abundance of energy could make even the dullest of things worth watching, though thankfully this night was far from dull.
Kicking the show off was Tom Leaper with a stunning saxophone solo of Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and whose gorgeous playing enhanced multiple songs throughout the evening. The first act consisted of slower songs and ballads, with the exception of Helpless from Hamilton being sung by the tremendous Merryl Ansah. She blew me away with every one of her performances, making stupidly hard songs like Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You look effortless, so whilst this may have been my first time seeing her live, it certainly won’t be my last! The highlight of the first act for me was Luke McCall serenading the Lyric Theatre with ‘Til I Hear You Sing from Love Never Dies; his ridiculously talented vocals leaving me covered in goosebumps and completely transfixed.
Signalling the start of a more upbeat second act was Aimie Atkinson and Laura Pick’s fantastic duet of No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) and Luke Bayer announcing that he had finished singing sad songs and had changed in the interval into his dance shoes. He certainly wasn’t lying - showing off his smooth dance moves from that moment on in performances that were both a joy to watch and, with his excellent voice, a joy to hear. Plus, after hearing I Won’t Say (I'm In Love) for the first time, I'm even more excited for Hercules! Consistently showing off her perfect vocal abilities was Laura Pick, who belted an extraordinary rendition of River Deep Mountain High as the penultimate performance of the evening. Concluding the show with the best possible song was Aimie Atkinson and Luke McCall’s duet of (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, and though no Dirty Dancing lift was attempted, their vocal harmonies truly did soar.
These concerts abide by a different set of rules to usual theatre concerts, with the audience actively encouraged to sing along and have a boogie in what is pretty much a compulsory part of the event. This Valentine’s Day concert was no different, but a slower first half meant the joining in aspect didn’t always work. The songs were all excellent; the sombre tone not being a problem at all, but no one is going to stand up and dance to songs like My Heart Will Go On or When She Loved Me, unless they’re very very drunk (don’t be that person) meaning there were a few awkward moments. However, the interactive nature worked much better for act two, with the entire audience up on their feet, eagerly clapping and singing along. It was a really enjoyable experience to be a part of, not just for the fans but also for those on stage: Aimie Atkinson getting some more than deserved reciprocated energy, Luke Bayer relieved that everyone joined him singing the many “sha-la-la”s of Brown Eyed Girl, and Luke McCall amused by the unanimous realisation that no one knows certain lines of Can't Take My Eyes Off You (myself included, I’m ashamed to admit).
There was something for every musical theatre lover in this Valentine’s special, whether happy in love, happily single, or so alone you've already named the future army of cats who will accompany you to your grave... (in case anyone was wondering, mine will be called Juliet, Romeo, May, François, Angélique, Lance, Anne & William Shakespeare) so I have no doubt the future West End Musical concerts will be just as well received as this one and past ones.
If you're looking for a fun night at the theatre with guaranteed sensational stars, then make sure you check out their Halloween and Christmas concerts later this year - I know I will.
For updates on future West End Musical concerts and events visit https://www.westendmusicalbrunch.co.uk
Photos by Izzy Tierney
Setlist:
Tom Leaper (saxophone) - Can You Feel The Love Tonight, The Lion King
Aimie Atkinson - Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Luke Bayer - Both Sides Now, Love Actually
Laura Pick - Almost Like Being In Love, Brigadoon
Luke McCall - Some Enchanted Evening, South Pacific
Laura Pick - My Heart Will Go On, Titanic
Luke Bayer - When She Loved Me, Toy Story
Merryl Ansah - Helpless, Hamilton
Luke McCall - ‘Til I Hear You Sing, Love Never Dies
Merryl Ansah - I Will Always Love You, The Bodyguard
Aimie Atkinson - The Best, Tina
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Aimie Atkinson & Laura Pick - No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)
Laura Pick - Somebody To Love, We Will Rock You
Luke Bayer - I Won't Say (I'm In Love), Hercules
Merryl Ansah - Love You I Do, Dreamgirls
Luke Bayer - Brown Eyed Girl
Luke McCall - Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Jersey Boys
Merryl Ansah - Believe
Luke McCall - I’m A Believer, Shrek
Laura Pick - River Deep Mountain High, Tina
Aimie Atkinson & Luke McCall - (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, Dirty Dancing