Ruthie Henshall: Live & Intimate
If what you seek from a cabaret performer is personality coupled with versatility, then Ruthie Henshall fits the bill. She can be comical or serious, rousing or understated. Her repertoire includes familiar favourites from the world of musical theatre, as well as hidden gems. The personal anecdotes range from cheeky and light-hearted to piercing and poignant.
In her distinctively throaty vocal delivery, Henshall prefers to dig deep into the substance of a song, rather than floating free into the realm of gratuitous acrobatics.
Her particular sound at times reminded this reviewer of the legendary Cleo Laine – but Henshall can also send her audience into fits of giggles when covering the music of Victoria Wood.
It wouldn’t have seemed possible at this point in time to make any song from Les Miserables still feel both fresh and passionate, but Henshall has just the right touch with “I Dreamed A Dream” – as she does with Stephen Sondheim’s “The Ladies Who Lunch” (from Company), The Beatles’ “In My Life”, Carole King’s “Beautiful”, and many others.
Anthony Vawser
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