It’s been at least a couple of years since we have seen this show, having missed last years version due to being away on holiday, so it was with great anticipation that Sheila and I headed to the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre on Monday night to witness the musical theatre extravaganza that this troupe consistently deliver.

Formed by David Fawcett and Andy Reiss more than ten years ago while both were performing in Les Miserables as a one off concert for charity the concept, simply the best songs in Musical Theatre, delivered with style by top class performers, has just grown and grown as over the years and gathered fans on the way as the packed theatre could testify to.

Quality performances and Messrs Fawcett and Reiss are constant factors in the equation as is that they are always joined by two female singers, but in this aspect variety is the order of the day as in excess of twenty have been part of the experience over the years.

The ladies on this tour are Katie Leeming who has been an integral part of this experience for a few years now and relative newcomer Becci Morrell and both add their class to the proceedings, and all four are very ably supported by Steve Clark on keyboards, Mark Allis on drums and percussion, Russell Kennedy bass together with Andy Reiss himself as musical director and keyboards.

The show commenced with a segment from Miss Saigon, giving each vocalist a chance to shine, so brightly at times that shades were required, and followed through a montage of some of the most magnificent musicals that have been around over the last decade or so. This splendidly well oiled and drilled production flowed almost seamlessly throughout and such classics as Phantom, We Will Rock You, The Lion King, Little Shop of Horrors, Spamalot, Jekyll & Hyde and Blood Brothers were just some of stops made on the journey, before the mainstay of their act the finale of Les Miserables. With most of the performers having appeared in this long-running show over the years this is obviously their tour-de-force and was as always executed to perfection. Even with the show lasting for the excess of two hours, it was by no means enough for all as the standing ovation at the end was a testimony to.

I was as always impressed by one and all, but there was the certain something that possibly raised this ever so slightly above the others I’d seen. Maybe the screen helped, it also appeared to be slightly tighter but,

I really feel Andy, Becci, David and Katie were enjoying it too, and this made the evening even more special.

If you like musical theatre then I suggest you try to catch this production if it is in your area, and if it’s not then travel. The remaining dates are to be found on their website www.beyondthebarricade.com