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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A musical tour de force!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Michael Ball - Alone Together - Live At The Donmar [2001] [DVD] (DVD)
If you have not had the chance to see this performance live, the DVD provides one with a good opportunity to see this well-acclaimed piece of experimental musical theatre from West End stage star and famous singer Michael Ball. The show is part of the Donmar Warehouse's cabaret series called DIVAS AT THE DONMAR, a concept pursued by outgoing Donmar artistic director Sam Mendes.In this particular case, the show was more experimental in concept and achieved greater critical success than other shows of the series. Michael Ball, singing non-stop without the benefit of any running commentary and simply with a superb piano accompaniment from Jonathan Carr, narrates the story of the life of a stage performer through an amazing number of songs and half-songs. The story is one of mixed emotions -- from the trauma of a sad childhood to the exhilarating pursuit of success in the limelight and the eventual disillusionment of whether it was all worth it. The songs are very aptly chosen and provide a wide melange of periods, styles and appeal. Where can you find a show where songs like Anyone Can Whistle ( Sondheim), Padam Padam ( the Edith Piaf song), There is No Business Like Show Business (Berlin), Happy Talk ( Rodgers and Hammerstein), an incredible and breathless medley of songs which encompass Gershwin, Cole Porter, Cohan, Jolson, Dietz and Schwartz, Kern, Styne, even a spot of Andrew LW, to a few more name composers, and later on to songs from Merrill to Guettel to Bowie to Harris and even a touch of Bach all strung together seamlessly. These songs ( over 50 of them sung in full or with only one or a few lines from some) are all woven into a musical theatre tapestry, as Michael sings about a performer's road to success in the limelight and its consequences on his personal happiness and outlook(the moments of joy, sadness and cynicism). Michael Ball's performance is virtuoso -- his voice is as magnificent as ever (beautiful, caressing, poignant and powerful, ) and he imbues his singing with all the emotional nuances ( sadness and grief, heady with success, romantic,
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't under estimate us mums.,
By
This review is from: Michael Ball - Alone Together - Live At The Donmar [2001] [DVD] (DVD)
As a "mum" who has seen Michael Ball in concert and theatre. I am quite able to recognise a showstopping performance when I see it.
I was lucky enough to see this show live at the Donmar Warehouse. Yes it was dark, dramatic, spellbinding, thrilling and heartbreaking but there were deft touches of humour to lighten up the proceedings to. In concert Michael thrives on his interaction with his audience, talking to them between songs,reacting to their responses. At the Donmar this interaction was removed Michael didn't speak to the audience between songs, or explain why a song was being sung. Here he allowed the audience the interpret the evening themselves. The opening of act two is a epic sensational medley of songs,pieces of songs that ran into each other seamlessly. And when you watch the dvd and it goes straight from that medley of songs into a beautiful, controlled performance of "Nice Dream" believe you me there is no camera trickery there, that is exactly how it happened. If you are a musical theatre fan I don't see how you couldn't be impressed with this performance. And if you are usually only a fan of Michael's concert, recording,radio or tv work. I recommend you try this dvd because every fan should see this performance at least once
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Diva,
By
This review is from: Michael Ball - Alone Together - Live At The Donmar [2001] [DVD] (DVD)
This DVD ia amazing. It shows Michael Ball portraying the life of a performer completely in song. It was done with no props, makeup or costume, and this rawness is very clear in the dvd. The music was completely unconnected to Michael, so is a new experience for us all. The emotions are tugged with the singing and acting:the whole performance leads you from laughter to tears and every emotion inbetween. The 10 minute medley at the start of the second act is a feat of great memory and endurance, as well as wonderful music. The whole show is one that I return to watch again and again, and the interviews with the three main participents - Michael, Jonathan Butterell (director) and Jason Carr (pianist and musical director) are very enlightening. All in all, a dvd I wouldn't be without, and which I can recommend to any musical theatre lover, or to any lover of good music.
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