Disney in Concert has just wrapped up its limited run at Hamer Hall, playing to near-capacity crowds. This world premiere brought the magic of Disney to Melbourne following a sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House for Disney’s 100th anniversary in 2023.
Disney has evolved significantly over the past 101 years, evident in its shift toward hyper-realistic animation and a growing focus on original storytelling. But whether you’re watching the 1994 version of The Lion King or the 2019 one, something never changes: the magic that makes Disney so great. And that’s the music.
Disney in Concert pays beautiful tribute to the legendary music of Disney, both new and old. One of the key features of the concert is the large screen above the stage playing handpicked scenes from the films being lovingly evoked. The most impressive aspect of this massive screen is the way the Hall’s lighting design by Peter Rubie brings the nostalgic scenes to life. One moment, it feels like we are sitting in a church with morning light shining down through stained glass windows. The next moment the room is lighting up with a golden glow as King Triton raises his Trident. It is an immersive and multi-sensory experience.
The Chorus singers from Melbourne Symphony Orchestra enhance the soloists’ performances, providing an impressive intensity. The suite from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which opens Act Two, is simply chilling. They switch to a more angelic sound during Beauty and the Beast: Tale As Old As Time.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, under the expert direction of award-winning Australian conductor Jessica Gethin, masterfully shapes the atmosphere of the evening. Disney’s scores truly come to life in a live setting, with standout moments including the dramatic and intense Battle with the Forces of Evil from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet. The orchestral break in the Suite from Pocahontas offers a particularly captivating touch, as the soloists turn to face the musicians, drawing the audience further into the magic of the performance.
And, of course, the soloists themselves are outstanding. Their performances radiate pride, joy, and infectious energy, especially in the group numbers. Watching them fully embrace these moments adds an extra layer of authenticity, making the experience even more powerful and emotionally resonant.
Soprano Amy Manford, best known for playing Christine in The Phantom of the Opera in both Australia and the West End, delivers a real-life fairytale moment as birds seem to answer her call while she sings Once Upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty. It’s a song that feels perfectly suited to her voice. Manford, alongside Genevieve McCarthy, is also the co-founder of MM Creative Productions, the team behind this incredible performance.
Christine Allado, the original West End Peggy Schuyler, brings a fierce sense of self-confidence to the princesses she portrays. She gives the audience chills with her powerful rendition of Reflection from Mulan.
Ruva Ngwenya, fresh off her critically acclaimed run in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, owns the stage with diva energy and powerhouse vocals. She gets the audience clapping along to Zero to Hero from Hercules, only to leave them whispering in amazement about the strength of her vocals when the song is over.
Joshua Robson, nominated for Best Lead Performance in a Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards forThe Phantom of the Opera, is the delightful villain for the night. He gives fresh and sinister takes on Arabian Nights in the Aladdin Suite and Be Prepared inThe Lion King Suite. He is also a hit in Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid.
Nick Afoa, the New Zealand-Samoan baritone who recently starred in the Australian tours of Miss Saigon and Rent, has a fantastic stage presence and even better vocals. He makes the kids laugh as Maui in the Moana segment and adults swoon as Aladdin.
Each soloist excels at engaging with the audience, and at times, there is even playful banter with the conductor. In duets and ensemble numbers, there is no sense of competition. Instead, their voices blend effortlessly, with each performer embracing and celebrating the moments when others took the spotlight.
A standout is the finale, which sees the whole cast coming together to sing Let It Go from Frozen. It serves as a sort of surprise encore as it wasn’t on the official setlist. It is a beautiful way to end the show and each performer just shines.
Whilst there are no official credits in the program for this, it would be remiss of me not to mention the outfits, particularly the sparkling gowns. Taking a refreshing and modern approach to the classic Disney princesses they were representing, the gowns put some of the dresses seen in Disney’s live-action movies to shame. (You know the ones).
Whether you are a fully-fledged Disney fan, a casual appreciator of good music, or a parent with young children, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for announcements about future Disney concerts from MM Creative Australia. They are a truly unmissable magical experience.
Disney in Concert ran from 12 – 15 March at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House and from 21 – 23 March at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. The season has now ended.
Website: https://mmcreativeproductions.com/
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Photo credits: Jarrad Seng and Peter Rubie
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