Review: West End Musical Drive In, Episode 5

Episode 5 of the West End Musical Drive In adopts a loose Hallowe’en theme with Lucie Jones, Jon Robyns and Kelly Agbowu

“Boris isn’t due on for another half an hour so we’re alright”

Saving the best for last might sound like something of a cliche but it is hard not to feel that way with this fifth and final instalment from the West End Musical Drive In (see reviews of episode 1episode 2, episode 3 and episode 4) which was their actual last show from the summer. Headlining the company is Lucie Jones and she really does reconfirm her absolute star quality.

The Hallowe’en theme sees some of the more interesting song choices of the show. Jones visiting Beetlejuice and The Addams Family, and Kelly Agbowu nailing Ursula’s iconic ‘Poor Unfortunate Soul’ and Elphaba’s ‘No Good Deed’. And a raucous rendition of ‘The Time Warp’ is lots of fun even if its with a recorded version of the track.

Of course, there’s a healthy dose of crowd-pleasing numbers. Jones going back for a couple of trips to Waitress‘ diner, Robyns opening the show with ‘Bring Him Home’ and also giving us a characterful ‘You’ll Be Back’ from Hamilton, and Adbowu getting everyone on their feet for Whitney’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, the integral part of The Bodyguard that it is…😉 

Opportunities for duets always makes these occasions particularly special and I loved Jones and Robyns reuniting on a tender ‘Legally Blonde’ and a fun take on Waitress‘ ‘Bad Idea’. Jones also reconnects with host Shanay Holmes’ on Rent’s ‘Take Me or Leave Me’, making this a fitting end to this set of streamed concerts from the Drive In.

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