Review: WestEnders: Hear The People Sing @ Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh 

Many people come up to me and ask whether the life of a jazzhands fan is one of wine and roses, or whether there are times when the spirits sink and real life intrudes horribly. Naturally, it doesn’t, but I always look wryly and sigh, just to make their lives seem less humdrum.

Of course, had they bothered to come along to the WestEnders “Hear The People Sing” show at the Brunton, then they would have discovered for themselves why my life is so much better than theirs.

The WestEnders are a seasoned troupe of performers, who’ve been touring for nigh on a decade, having first got together when performing in Les Miserables in the West End. Hence, their fondness for Les Mis tunes. Of which there were plenty.

The core group are augmented by a rotating cast of characters, but with the long running duo of Jon Osbaldeston and Linda Jarvis in particualrly sparkling form, the six singers and four musicians put on a storming Saturday night show. Granted, the segue from Blood Brothers into Mary Poppins was a bit of an emotional leap, but the arrangements from musical director Jae Alexander were top notch. Although, having heard him sing, I know why he tinkles the ivories.

The absolute highpoint was the remarkable ‘Rhythm of Life’ from “Sweet Charity”, although there were a few tunes that caught the audience by surprise, especially the pairing from “Love Never Dies”. But that’s their loss, so they should really buy a copy of the Australian cast DVD sharpish. However by the closing technicolour medley from Mamma Mia, all was forgiven, as a happy, sell out throng headed home.

There are still a few shows left on their current run, so head off to http://www.thewestenders.com/ and see whether they’re coming to your town.