We went to see/hear The Beatles Unplugged because a friend of my theatre companion is a member of the Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers and Band. We were told to look out for the friend who would be wearing a Sgt Pepper outfit and located to the right of the featured singers, Rob Mills and Bobby Fox who starred in Jersey Boys in Australia.
The concert begins with Sitar music and the choir assembling on stage. This is no concert with static choir holding song books, however. The choir was mobile throughout the concert engaging in quite nicely organised choreography. Identifying the friend was tricky though because all thirty-three members of the choir were dressed entirely in black. Not a Sgt Pepper in sight.
The first half of the concert comprised nine Beatles tunes mostly sung low key, delicately. It wasn't a style I was familiar with for Beatles tunes and whilst the singing was undoubtedly of good quality it didn't greatly appeal to me at least not until the last two songs, 'She's Leaving Home' and 'Hello Goodbye' both of which were sung closer to the originals. The other drawback of the first half was that Mills and Fox, both 'miked up', were almost inaudible or at least indistinguishable from the choir.
It wasn't until the second half that the amplification of Mills and Fox was sorted out and I could enjoy their contribution.
The second half was a complete contrast. Everyone, including the band members, changed out of their black clothing and into colourful, almost psychedelic, clothing. Now the Sgt Pepper singer was identifiable. The nine post interval Beatles songs were delivered robustly. I enjoyed this half immensely.
The nine member band performed outstandingly throughout.
The audience, which I suspect was 'peppered' with friends and relatives, gave the concert a rapturous ovation at the conclusion.
✮✮✮
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