Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Royal Albert Hall Celebration Review

Overall Rating

A reminder of an epic night
Real Star Power
Moving Songs

Donny Osmond

The Royal Albert Hall Celebration was a great night and I enjoyed seeing the show again live on a top quality DVD. Here's the lowdown:

'Whistle Down The Wind' - Tina Arena brought the crowd to their feet with this powerful number.

Next up was a double header from Donny Osmond with a childrens choir on support, I say children, but most of them towered over Donny. Routine stuff from Osmond with 'Any Dream Will Do' and 'Close Every Door'. The women in the audience loved Donny, and the child choir added to the schmaltz. My personal thoughts on Donny? Pass me the sick bucket.

Business picked up next with Antonio Banderas's rendition of 'High Flying Adored'. This was followed by a truly rousing version of 'Don't Cry For me Argentina' from the evergreen Eliane Paige.

We were treated to some Latino beats next with Dennis O'Neill singing 'Hosanna'. This was followed by a beautifully sung duet from Sarah Brightman and Ben De'ath who performed 'Pie Jesu' - Truly moving.

Michael Ball then picked up the pace with 'I Only Want To Say'. Brilliant.

We then move to Phantom of the Opera territory where Sarah Brightman and Banderas perform a tear jerking rendition of the musical's title song. Michael Ball then joins Sarah for 'All I Ask of You' and Sarah then sings alone with the song 'Music of the Night'.

Boyzone's 'No Matter What' is next up on the DVD, swiftly followed by Michael Ball's 'Vaults of Heaven', he then later pops up with 'Love Changes Everything'. Ball is on his game tonight.

We get a real treat as Glenn Close performs 'With One Look' and Elaine Paige then blows us away with 'Memory' from Cats.

Kiri Te Kanawa sings 'The Heart is Slow to Learn' and then all the stars take to the stage to sing Happy Birthday to Andrew Lloyd Webber - the mastermind behind the show. Andrew then dusts off the piano to lose the show as Lottie Mayor provides vocals for 'Whistle Down The Wind'.

This DVD is a great reminder for those, like me, who were lucky enough to attend. Anyone who didn't should check this out, because it is a tremendous piece of work. It would have been a ten bar the Osmond factor.