Soho Cinders is the latest musical from the award winning writing team of George Stiles & Anthony Drewe (Betty Blue Eyes, Mary Poppins now in its 5th year on Broadway, Just So! and Honk which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2000) with a book written by Anthony Drewe & Elliot Davis. Cinderella re-imagined - a modern musical fable with a story centered around the complicated love life of prospective Mayoral candidate James Prince, his fiancée and his law-student lover, Robbie - who's paying his college bills in a somewhat unorthodox way.
A razor-sharp take on modern life with a catchy contemporary new score, Soho Cindersis a truly 21st-century musical.
The special concert performance was held in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust and featured an all-star West End cast including David Bedella (Jerry Springer), Clive Carter (Wicked), Sharon D Clarke (Ghost), Amy Lennox (Legally Blonde), Beverly Rudd (Into The Woods), Jos Slovick (Spring Awakening), Hannah Waddingham (Wizard Of Oz), Michael Xavier (Love Story), and Sandi Toksvig as the Narrator, with Direction by Jonathan Butterell, Choreography by Drew McConie, Orchestrations by David Shrubsole and Musical Direction by George Stiles, plus the album has a very special foreword by Stephen Fry.
“as funny as it is emotionally involving … passionate melodies and heart-stopping ballads … some of the sharpest and wittiest one-liners you will hear anywhere … Never a dull moment, never a false note … I, in common with the entire audience, rose to my feet and cheered and cheered until I was hoarse …” Stephen Fry
This one-night-only concert was recorded live at the Queen’s Theatre on Sunday 9th October 2011.
Reviews:
“SOHO CINDERS is packed with the best songs Stiles & Drewe have yet written, driving character, plot & wit in perfect harmony (in every sense). This showcase concert – wittily and fluidly staged by Jonathan Butterrell with ace choreography by Drew McOnie - fielded the best cast imaginable!” Mark Shenton, The Stage
“This contemporary Cinderella tale with a gay twist intoxicates from its first notes ... Drewe's lyrics throughout are witty, ably fitting Stiles' richly melodic, toe-tapping tunes. Two particular standouts are ‘Gypsies of the Ether’, exquisitely performed by Slovick and Xavier, which hauntingly brings an online meeting to life; and the raucously funny ‘Hard To Tell?’ about the judging a guy's sexuality. After hearing this concert recording, listeners will eagerly await a full production of this beautifully crafted show.” Andy Propst - TheaterMania
“Soho Cinders could easily fall into being a sombre, rather depressing soundtrack, but cleverly avoids that with a multitude of brilliant one-liners, many of which narrator Sandi Toksvig delivers with perfect comic timing, and its poppy, up-tempo numbers. It would be hard to go wrong anyway when you have a cast of this calibre … Soho Cinders may be an unconventional Cinderella-story, but it is refreshingly straight-talking and remains fun, upbeat and positive whilst putting across a very clear pro-gay message about ‘normal love’. Live recordings are not everyone’s cup of tea, but here the sound quality is superb. The test of any good album though is to see: whether the songs are memorable; the vocals of a high-standard and if you would want to listen to it again – Soho Cinders ticks every box and more than passes the test.” Julie Robinson - Public Reviews ***** Stars
Track Listing:
ACT ONE
Old Compton Street – Sharon D Clarke, Amy Lennox, Jos Slovick, Beverly Rudd, Suzie Chard & Company
Wishing For The Normal – Amy Lennox & Jos Slovick
Spin – Michael Xavier, David Bedella, Richard David-Caine & Company
Gypsies Of The Ether - Michael Xavier & Jos Slovick
I’m So Over Men – Beverly Rudd & Suzie Chard
It’s Hard To Tell – Amy Lennox, Jos Slovick & Company
Old Compton Street (Reprise) – Clive Carter
You Shall Go To The Ball – Sharon D Clarke, Amy Lennox & Company
ACT TWO
Entr’acte - Orchestra
Who’s That Boy? - Full Company
They Don’t Make Glass Slippers – Jos Slovick
Spin (Reprise) – Hannah Waddingham
The Tail That Wags The Dog – David Bedella & Company
Let Him Go - Amy Lennox & Hannah Waddingham
Fifteen Minutes – Beverly Rudd, Suzie Chard & Company
Finale – Hannah Waddingham, Jos Slovick, Michael Xavier & Amy Lennox
Curtain Call - Full Company
Credits:
Produced by Simon Greiff (for SimG Records) &
George Stiles (for Stiles & Drewe)
Recording Engineered by Kevin Porée & Luke Billing
Mixed & Mastered by Kevin Porée at Berry Street Studio
Original Design by Dewynters
CD Design & Art Direction by Simon Beechey at ATD Graphic Design
Released 7th December 2011 by SimG Records
Catalogue Number: SimGR-CD09
Customer Reviews:
“A surprisingly touching CD about the search for love.Took a chance on this purchase after reading the rave reviews of the one off concert and was well rewarded - this is a quality recording (don’t worry about this being a live recording this cast hits every note and the orchestra is superb). An amazingly strong cast from the cream of current West End performers really shine and have made a special recording of a show which will surprise you as a tuneful and touching record of relationships and life chances.”
“Fabulous new score - another winner for Stiles and Drewe. Fabulous singing, catchy score and great orchestrations. I defy you not to sing ‘Wishing For The Normal’ all day after first hearing it!! Please buy the CD as not only will you be hearing a unique, fresh score you will also be helping to raise money for a great charity!!”
