Adelphi Theatre – 16 February 2020
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
Lucie Jones appeared disarmingly stunned all evening at the idea that the audience packed into the Adelphi were all there just to see her. Has she heard herself sing?
Using her break from playing Jenna in Waitress, Lucie’s solo concert “we thought that maybe we could do an hour at Zedel’s!” is an evening of belting notes and infectious joy. Full of songs from musicals that Lucie has performed in during her career, with natural and genuine (often rambling!) introductions from Lucie, the set list is impressive, and showcases Lucie’s vocal talent brilliantly. The London Musical Theatre Orchestra, led by Freddie Tapner, accompany Lucie, with Declan Corr’s orchestrations sending each number soaring.
Managing to get through 2 songs before she took off her shoes, Lucie’s goofy and self-deprecating humour and stories keep the audience giggling between songs, but as soon as the music starts, the audience is left slack-jawed or whooping. This girl can sing! Barnstorming through Don’t Rain on my Parade, Sing Happy, A Summer in Ohio until she sings So Much Better from Legally Blonde, cajoling Liam Doyle to sing his Warner lines from the audience, the song choices are brilliant, and Lucie shows the softer side of her voice when she is joined by John Owen-Jones to sing The Prayer, which was absolutely gorgeous.
Lots of the songs are from milestones in her career, with a sweet rendition of God Help the Outcasts – her first solo in the Cardiff Gang Show, and a smooth as silk rendition of Moon River for her Nan, with a beautiful arrangement accompanied by Camilla Pay on the harp and Box Vukotic on cello. Her Eurovision entry, Never Give Up On You, sounds fantastic, and her incredible duet with Marisha Wallace, Take Me or Leave Me, brought the audience leaping to their feet. The love Lucie has for her current show is obvious as she tells of her audition for the role of Jenna, and Sara Bareilles calling out “I love you” from the stalls nearly broke us all even before her extraordinarily emotional performance of She Used To Be Mine. Simply wonderful.
The concert was recorded for an album to be released later this year, and Lucie is guaranteed 1500 sales by the audience tonight, wanting to relive such a gloriously uplifting evening. If you weren’t lucky enough to be there – BUY THE ALBUM