Beyond the Barricade is the very epitome of WYSIWYG: what you see is what you get'. The group deliver expert renditions of all your favourite numbers from all your favourite stage musicals. No props, no story, no costumes. Just classic West End songs done very well indeed.
The cast of singers are all alumni from West End Les Miserables performances, guaranteeing quality and competence. Indeed, our four singers (David Fawcett, Andy Reiss, Poppy Tierney and Jodie Beth Meyer) did not disappoint. They took the difficult numbers in their stride, easily filling the hall and reaching the high notes. Particularly impressive was Fawcett’s rendition the challenging 'Bring Him Home' as well as the delightful Chicago medley by Tierney.
The singers were supported by a very able three-piece live band, eschewing the temptation to sing to a backing track. I think this was a very good decision, as there is absolutely something special about a fully live performance. As Fawcett himself mentioned, a three-piece band and four singers can’t always deliver the same sound as a full orchestra and cast of twenty four but, as previously stated: WYSIWYG.
This was, amazingly, the 21st anniversary show for the ensemble. 21 years singing stage musicals… The mind boggles. All the more impressive, then, that the cast, including the two founding members Reiss and Fawcett, seemed genuinely pleased to be there, and to enjoy singing the songs as much as I enjoyed hearing them.
Beyond the Barricade knows its audience and caters to them well. A large part of the emotion behind the music in musical theatre is how it ties into the narrative. If you don’t already know the stories or where the songs fit in they might not pack the right emotional punch. The show is therefore one for returning fans rather than the uninitiated, which was fine because everyone in the audience knew pretty much every song.
Beyond the Barricade is certainly no night at the opera, and you wouldn’t want it to be. There are no pretensions here; just two hours of the songs you love to sing along to. It’s pure cheese, so bring your crackers and have a great time.
Tonight’s performance was my first visit to the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. I had not been there before and was delighted to find a large, bright and modern venue that easily rivals its larger competitors in London. I was also delighted by the ample nearby.