REVIEW | West End Does: The Magic of Animation - Heroes & Villains, Cadogan Hall

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Reviewed by Kirsten

West End Does: The Magic of Animation – Heroes & Villains at Cadogan Hall. Cadogan Hall is always a lovely venue, grand but welcoming, with great acoustics and a sense of occasion that make these concerts feel a bit special.

This show was a celebration of music from animated films with a line up of outstanding and upcoming West End stars singing not always the obvious hits—which I think would have made it more lively for the audience members to enjoy. Instead of the usual Disney blockbusters, we got a mix of familiar and lesser-known songs but still from massive movies and shows such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Anastasia, Hercules, The Prince of Egypt, Shrek, and more. 

The cast featured brilliant West End performers—Rachel John, Rob Madge, Rob Houchen, David Hunter, Sharlene Hector, Alistair Brammer, and Leesa Tulley, with Simon Lipkin hosting. 

Rob Madge brought their usual personality and wit to the stage, always a character and completely themselves. But for me, Leesa Tulley stole the show. Her voice is just flawless with a beautiful tone, clear delivery, and so emotionally connected. She had the audience completely with her every time she sang.

The West End Musical Choir and the Guildford School of Acting and Dancing Choir added real depth and richness to the vocal sound, and the dancers from GSA brought energy and movement that lifted certain numbers. The band played with incredible skill and drive. It was a big, powerful sound that really filled the room. That said, I did feel the brass and drums were a little too loud at times, particularly for the choirs, whose harmonies occasionally got lost. I was sitting toward the back, and there were moments where I wanted the vocals to be more forward in the mix.

Simon Lipkin kept the whole thing running smoothly—witty, relaxed, and with just the right balance of banter and warmth. He even worked in a few bits of magic and audience participation, which gave the evening an extra lift and helped keep things flowing between songs.

All in all, it was a brilliant night. A well-curated set, loads of talent on stage, and a real sense of fun. Even with a few sound balance issues, it was a joy to watch—and I’d happily go again.

★★★★

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