A Night at the Musicals Brisbane enchanted audiences over the weekend with their magical production of Disney: In Concert. For three shows only, this epic showcase of Disney’s classic melodies ran at the incredible Thomas Dixon Centre.
After a spectacular year with three amazing productions including a tour, Disney: In Concert was the final mainstage show of 2025. A Night at the Musicals is a brilliant local not-for-profit organisation that celebrates the creative ingenuity of musical theatre.
Disney: In Concert sparkled with something other than just splendour and sophistication: childhood wonder. The emotional highs and lows of the repertoire could be felt in a stunning display of talent. It was all brought to life by thirteen of the city’s finest professional soloists, a powerhouse ensemble and a live orchestra.
Producer Sophora Cliff and Director Alex Watson put together a stellar lineup of Brisbane’s best vocal talent. And it was some of the most impressive live singing performances that I have ever seen. With each number, the expectation for greatness grew, and yet they exceeded it every single time.
Musical Director and Conductor Michael Keen created orchestral magic with a wave of his wand. Keen brought new life to these classic tunes that swum with theatrical exuberance.
Disney: In Concert amazed from the opening song, Be Our Guest, where Liam J O’Byrne took the lead as Lumière with a fiery liveliness. Midway through the song, he was joined by the rest of the featured vocalists in a breathtaking display of beauty. All dressed to the nines, it was as if they’d just stepped out of Cinderella’s carriage and were making their way to the ball.
Yet it was not just the glamorous costuming that made it impossible to look away from the stage. It was the otherworldly singing that rang across the theatre. When the company’s voices aligned in perfect harmony, it felt momentous.
In all the full company songs, including Can You Feel the Love Tonight, The Bells of Notre Dame, and the Let it Go encore, there was an impressed astonishment that left goosebumps.
Featured soloist Sean Sinclair gave a strong and charged performance in Go the Distance from Hercules. His impressive vocal skills were best appreciated in the song’s final note, which he held onto perfectly.
Timothy Aaron Cooper, Cody Arthur, Liam J O’Byrne, and Jordan Koulos got the adrenaline pumping in I’ll Make a Man Out of You. It was a fun and exciting song that was made all the more enjoyable by their comical choreography and characterisations.
A personal favourite was the mesmerising Princess Waltz performed by Chloe Rose Taylor, Vivien Emsworth and Carly Bettinson. With a princess-like grace, they sang the famous Once Upon A Dream melody that felt like a spell cast from a storybook.
Jo-Anne Jackson and Cody Arthur delivered a stunning and profound rendition of Beauty and the Beast. Their sincerity and connection while performing was magnetic. Jackson had a voice that soared straight to the heart and, in this particular song, straight to the tear ducts as well.
From the humour and fun of Bare Necessities and Mother Knows Best to the heartfelt Remember Me, Disney: In Concert successfully illuminated the magic of the screen to the stage.
A Night at the Musicals brought fairytale wishes and unimaginable dreams to life in Disney: In Concert. This dazzling production swept its audience into a world of spectacular singing, exquisite style, and effortless showmanship. It was a reminder of why these stories endure, and how thrilling they can be when rediscovered in a sparkling new light.
A Night At The Musicals presented Disney: In Concert from 15 – 16 November at the Talbot Theatre. Thomas Dixon Centre, 406 Montague Road West End Qld 4101.
The season has now ended. Details of their next tour can be found here.
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Photo credits: Megan Birdy Peacock
