Producer: Bold Theatre
Director: Kyle Chuen
Musical Director: Nick Braae
Starring: Eckard Becker, Rachael Bloemendal, Julia Booth, Zachary Clarke, Nic Kyle, Jane Leonard, Courteney Mayall, Dane Moeke, Alex Pelham-Waerea, Ella Veitch
Week two of the Hamilton Arts Festival kicked off this evening and amongst the offerings was Bold Theatre’s Songs For A New World. Performed in the Modernist Garden, this abstract piece is not a musical, rather a “song cycle.” The underlying theme is of choices in love and life.
For ninety minutes, Songs For A New World featured solos, duets and ensemble numbers. The cast was made up of tutors, students and friends of Wintec’s Music and Performing Arts degree and was accompanied by a tight four-piece band.
In the first solo, Dane Moeke was the choirmaster and the ensemble his choir in a magnificent and soulful performance of “On The Deck Of A Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492.”
Courteney Mayall was at her comedic best staging an utterly hilarious anecdote of a wealthy woman pushed to the brink with desperation for her husband’s attention with “Just One Step.”
Eckard Becker and Zachary Clarke shared a toe-tapping number “The River Won’t Flow” and their complete trust in each other and camaraderie was a pleasure to watch.
World-leading Estill Voice Training expert Julia Booth brought all her storytelling chops and delivered stunning highs to emotional lows in each of her solos.
Alex Pelham-Waerea was as entertaining as always and “The Steam Train” was a funky upbeat song that had the band cranking, cast dancing and crowd hollering.
Ella Veitch’s unhinged, drunken Edith Piaf-esque “Surabaya-Santa” was sensational, an absolute highlight.
Jane Leonard is a vocal powerhouse with beautiful technique and flawless diction.
The charming Nic Kyle of 2023 Kinky Boots and The Music Man fame and Rachael Bloemendal’s duet “I’d Give It All For You” was completely compelling with their heartfelt and moving interaction.
The band nailed the challenging score that was jam-packed with genres. Some songs required Musical Director Nick Braae to play ten to the dozen, as though he had four hands not two.
Director Kyle Chuen positioned the cast across the width of the stage on bentwood chairs that were moved to create new and interesting vignettes. Chuen has an exceptional skill for casting his shows, and once again delivered a polished production that wowed the audience.
Songs For A New World has two further performances. With ten accomplished vocalists and a gifted band, this Festival production is a marvelous way to spend an evening. You might notice that the leaves are slowly turning, so it’s another reason to make the most of (mainly) local talent at the close of summer. Be bold, go and see the song cycle that is Songs For A New World.
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