Christmas goodies keep everybody happy – Edinburgh Evening News

Review by Drew McAdam

Four leading West End artists joined the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus to bring their own brand of festive spirit to Edinburgh with their White Christmas West End Gala. And it was an opportunity to see why the visiting performers are in such demand by producers of the big-time musicals.

There was something in there for everybody, as each singer took it in turn to share the stage with orchestra and choir, delivering an uninterrupted celebration of musical hits from the major musicals of the past 25 years; shows such as Oliver, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Evita and The Lion King. David Shannon delivered Heaven on Their Minds with all the passion he could muster, while James Graeme – possibly the best Phantom ever – gave a superb and moving version of Music of the Night. Soprano Katrina Murphy demonstrated her ability to turn her vocal chords to anything from jazz to light opera with a clarity and focus at both ends of her quite considerable range, while making it all look so effortless. 

Bringing the first half to a close with the rousing anthem from Les Miserables would have been fabulous enough. Add to this the orchestra and the choir, and what you have is something that lifts the spirits and sets the heart beating a little faster.

The West End Gala was crammed full of goodies, sometimes fast-paced, often slow and emotional, but always entertaining. And while the big hits of the major musicals will always be popular, it was the medley of Christmas tunes that gave the audience the excuse to get involved. Caught up in the festive spirit, the crowd sung along with old favourites like White Christmas and Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire. 

The encore, rather surprisingly, had nothing to do with West End musicals and even less to do with Christmas when the whole ensemble launched into a medley of Abba hits. It was no less enjoyable for that, hitting exactly the right finishing note with the upbeat Dancing Queen. 

It was a selection box crammed full of goodies that left everybody satisfied, sending them home happy and still humming the catchy choruses.