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A CurtainUp 
London Review
London ReviewClose to You
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"And walk on by
I just can't get over losing you And so if I seem broken and blue Walk on by, walk on by." — Lyrics to Walk On By |
Kyle Riabko (Photo: Johan Persson) |
The show which has brought these tunes to the stage is by Kyle Riabko, a singer and guitarist whose up beat arrangements form this show which is subtitled, Bacharach Reimagined. Bacharach's tunes are constantly being reinvented as all those reality singing talent shows like The X Factor look for "new" material and contestants are rewarded for putting their own interpretation on these lovely tunes.
So a younger generation will be rediscovering this composer. Close to You sold out at the Menier Chocolate Factory's intimate venue where the high rise furniture set surrounded the audience. Here at The Criterion, the armchairs and sofas are stacked up vertically like some kind of strange second hand furniture store display and surround the performers with some audience members seated on the stage. Standard lamps with large fringed lampshades give soft lighting with a period feel.
Seven singer musicians sing and play with new styles to some of the tunes. There is a reggae beat to "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" which segues into "What Do You Get When You Fall In Love". Songs that British women recorded are there, bare foot Sandie Shaw's "There's Always Something There to Remind Me", Dusty Springfield "Wishin' and Hopin' ", "A House Is Not A Home" and "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" and Cilla Black's "Alfie".
"Close To You" is not a musical but a concert with a set and lighting. As an example, a very sad song like "There's Always Something There To Remind Me" is celebrated as a great tune but the jamming rendition doesn't convey any of the emotion of the beautiful words as singers grin while singing sad lyrics. In a musical the singers would be feeling the emotion.
Kyle Riabko plays his guitar while embracing Stefanie McKeon so he cannot see where his fingers are on the guitar. The show closed with all seven performers singing "What The World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love". As a special treat on opening night the band and cast took to the streets to entertain the crowd at Piccadilly Circus.
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| Close to You
Composer: Burt Bacharach Lyricist: Hal David and Others Co-conceiver/Arranger/Music Director: Kyle Riabko Co-conceiver: David Lane Selzer Directed by Steven Hoggett Starring: Kyle Riabko, Daniel Bailen, Greg Coulson, Anastacia McCleskey, Stephanie McKeon, Renato Paris, James Williams Set Design: Christine Jones and Brett J Banakis Costume Design: Matthew Wright Lighting: Tim Lutkin Sound: Richard Brooker Running time: Two hour 30 minutes with an interval Box Office 020 7492 0810 Booking to 10th January 2016 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 15th October 2015 performance at The Criterion, Piccadilly Circus London SW1Y 4XA (Tube: Piccadilly Circus) |
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