If there's anything more magical than animation, it's hearing the songs we grew up with performed live by some of the West End's finest. On Sunday, Cadogan Hall was transformed into a wonderland of nostalgia, emotion, and sheer vocal power as West End Does: The Magic of Animation – Heroes & Villains delivered for the third year an unforgettable musical celebration of beloved animated classics.
The great thing about this concert lay not only in its song selection, which ranged from Disney favourites like Hercules, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King to lesser-sung gems from Anastasia and Shrek, but in the fresh interpretation each performer brought. Rob Houchen's "In the dark of the night" was a vocal masterclass, while David Hunter's rendition of I'm a Believer brought the house down with rock-and-roll charm and cheeky charisma.
Rachel John and Sharlene Hector's vocals soared, singing "When you believe "with such raw emotion that the audience was visibly moved
The show's theme — Heroes & Villains — offered the perfect excuse to indulge in theatrical drama, and no one seized that more deliciously than Rob Madge, whose villainous turn was as hilarious as it was bold. Meanwhile, Simon Lipkin held everything together with his usual wit and warmth, effortlessly keeping the energy flowing between numbers with his funny magic tricks (but little introduction to the songs).
The ensemble elements added depth to the performances. The West End Does Orchestra, under the direction of Samuel Wilson, delivered lush arrangements that gave each piece the cinematic weight it deserved. The West End Musical Choir and the dancers from Guildford School of Acting added visual spectacle and powerful harmonies.
This was not a concert for children alone, although it was entirely family-friendly. It was, rather, a love letter to the art of animation and to the adults who remember these songs not just as tunes, but as milestones in their emotional lives.