Show: The Greatest Love Of All – A Tribute To Whitney Houston Starring Belinda Davids
Location: Theatre Royal, St Helens
Dates: Wednesday October 6 2021
Time: 19.30
Running Time: 155 Minutes
Age Rating: 8+
Performers: Belinda Davids
Production Company: Showtime Australia
Director: Johnny Van Grinsven
This is our theatre review for The Greatest Love Of All Starring Belinda Davids at St Helens Theatre Royal. So, let’s take a look at The Greatest Love Of All!
The Greatest Love Of All
Background
Showtime Australia presents the critically-acclaimed live concert honouring the talent, music and memory of Whitney. Featuring the breathtaking vocals of Belinda Davids accompanied by a fabulous 6-piece live band and dancers, this is a beautifully crafted tribute to one of the world’s most revered singers.
The two-hour production will fill you with joy, nostalgia and wonderment as you are taken on a heartfelt musical journey through Whitney’s greatest hits including I Will Always Love You, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, How Will I Know, One Moment in Time, I Have Nothing, Run to You, Didn’t We Almost Have It All, Greatest Love of All, I’m Every Woman, Exhale (Shoop Shoop) and more.
Directed by Johnny Van Grinsven and launched in 2013, the show has already wowed audiences across the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa, Asia, UAE, Australia and New Zealand.
Analysis
I’m a massive Whitney fan. I just thought I’d throw that out there before I start this review. This came with some trepidation watching a Whitney Houston tribute show. I needn’t have worried as what I saw on stage last night was as close as anyone will ever get to replicating Miss Houtson herself. Produced by Showtime Australia this show claims to honour the talent, music and memory of Whitney. Well, it certainly does that.
The show opened with Run To You. Right from the first number I was blown away with Belinda Davids’ voice. Powerful yet controlled, the classic vibrato that we all know and love from Whitney was prevalent and her exceptional vocal range was easily reached with a beautiful and soulful tone. Belinda had Whitney down to a T.
I would just like to briefly mention at this point the rows of people behind and infront of me who made it difficult for me to initially concentrate on the show as they would not stop talking. I find this behaviour so rude and unacceptable in a theatre and not to mention the constant use of mobile phones being used for photography and filming purposes. This is distracting to other theatre goers and also for the artists on stage. There was a polite pre-recording played before the show asking audience members to refrain from using their phones during the show and photography and filming were prohibited. This did nothing to dissuade people and the theatre staff did not follow this through unfortunately.
Davids was backed by a fantastic 5-piece band featuring drums, bass, guitar, keys and sax. And they were incredible. Hailing from all parts of the globe they accompanied Davids through her portrayal of Whitney with assurance and ease. Hayden on Sax needs a particular mention as on several occasions he was front and centre showing off his talents as an extremely capable saxophonist.
We flew through the songbook of Whitney’s biggest hits and some not so well-known numbers. I forgot I was watching a tribute by the 3rd song. Davids’ interpretation of Whitney was engaging. She spoke comfortably and effortlessly ingratiated her to the audience. She clearly has a love and respect for Whitney and her tribute was executed with the utmost class and respect towards her. Davids has an incredible ease about her. She is at home onstage and there is something so natural about her performance. She doesn’t even have to work at the Whitney; it seems so natural as does her musical interpretation.
The sound of last night’s show was outstanding. There was a technical error with Davids’ in-ear monitors, we wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t mentioned it. That was until help arrived. They stopped working after a costume change and during You Give Good Love To Me she couldn’t hear the band. Not one note was dropped during this. She kept the patter going throughout the attempts by one and then two technicians who joined her on stage. Both of them behind her, busying themselves in their vain attempts to rectify the problem with her monitor pack. David continued with her chat with the audience, seemingly unfazed. A reflection of her true professionalism.
The show was backed by two incredibly talented and energetic male dancers. They brought a lightness and a cheekiness to the production. The choreography was slick, sharp and well executed and Davids worked well alongside them. The whole production of the show was outstanding with lighting specials delivering that dynamic and enhanced atmosphere.
The show finished with the expected finale of I Will Always Love You. I must point out at this point the unfortunate situation which happened on Davids’ opening line of the song. She appeared onstage in a beautiful white gown and sung the famous “If I…..” her vibrato resonated throughout the theatre and we were all waiting for the next line until some member of the audience decided it was their time to shine and sung the next words to which they received boos and unapproving insults thrown at them by some of the audience. I was mortified at this and it did spoil the moment somewhat. I’m not too sure what happened next as I saw a staff member enter the theatre and Belinda carried on the song with grace and dignity. Her professionalism is to be noted and I am disgusted that some people think this is an acceptable way to act in a theatre.
Summary
This is a show that I would have no hesitation in recommending. This is not just a tribute show, it’s a breathtaking, emotional and outstanding production where David’s portrayal is spot on and will bowl you over. A must see regardless of your affinity to Whitney herself. This show is a masterclass in performance.
Notes
Target Audience: 8+
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 10/10 – Perfect
The Greatest Love Of All Further Links
For more information about this show, click here.
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