TenORus

The marvellous thing about Australian performers is that they refuse to be beaten. If the theatres are closed and there’s no work, well then - create your own.

TenORus features two superb tenors in Adam Bartlett (Musical Theatre) and Roger Davy (opera and the Ten Tenors) and is their own creation. As they say, why pay for Ten Tenors when you can have it all with just two? (hence the title) It’s a darnn good question. With a brilliantly eclectic repertoire across the board, there appears to be nothing these two can’t sing. And the voices? WOW. They are incredible, from Bartlett’s pure, bell-like top register, to Davy’s rich Domingo-esque middle and lower registers (though he is quite capable of hitting those high notes with ease). This is singing of the highest order from two men of diverse backgrounds who really know their stuff.

It's a simple stage setting, with back projection slides aiding the songs and a clothes rack with a few props, which serve to enhance the gentle comedy and camaraderie between the two singers. There’s something for everyone, including audience participation (I never thought I’d be doing hand movements to ‘Funiculi Funicular’) and a singalong to ‘Sweet Caroline’.

But it’s the more serious songs that hit the mark. Ennio Morricone’s ‘Nella Fantasia’ from The Mission as a duet is simply thrilling and brought goosebumps to many in the audience. Bartlett’s ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Mis (he has played Valjean) was quite exquisite and Davy’s ‘Music of the Night’ brought new ambience to The Phantom. And where else could you see a show which ends with Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’, followed by a jaw dropping duet of ‘Nessun Dorma’ (just stunning), only to be topped (just as I said to my husband “top that”) with an encore of Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ with the audience dancing in their seats?

The show is very new and still a work in progress, and its two stars are well aware of that. There’s some reworking to be done and possibly a new running order for the songs, but the bones are there and nothing can detract from those voices. This isn’t meant to be a main stage offering but it is great for small venues, regional theatres and corporate gigs – and when cruising starts again, this is the perfect show for a mature audience. So watch out for a regional tour in the near future.

In short, this is great entertainment for anyone who loves great singing and that includes me.

Coral Drouyn