There are some shows and performers that are just so incredible they take your breath away, leave you feeling all fuzzy and warm inside, and stay with you forever, seared into your bank of life-changing memories.
The first big cultural hit in New York post-lockdown and trailing critics choice picks from all the major critics, Only An Octave Apart is one of those nights. Miss this cabaret-opera fusion on its UK premiere and you will regret it forever.
On paper the combination of cabaret diva legend Justin Vivian Bond (best known in the UK as one half of Kiki and Herb) and Anthony Roth Costanzo, a pretty boy counter tenor star of the opera world, should not work. But their onstage relationship and their voices – only an octave apart – are a match made in queer heaven.
Sporting an array of flamboyant costumes by Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and LOEWE – their opening number sees them in half dresses that tail off into cars – and supported by an incredible 9-piece band under musical director Daniel Schlosberg, made up of violin, viola, harp, clarinet, flute/alto flute, double bass and guitars, our little and large duo run through an eclectic mix of pop songs from Sylvester to Queen, Neil Diamond to Peter Gabriel mixed in with arias from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen to The Marriage of Figaro and Carmen. Between the numbers they engage in the campest of queer banter. It is absolutely heavenly.
Director and co-creator Zack Winokur has paced the show brilliantly with several visual coups de théâtre including a floating moon and a series of beautiful drapes that add so much to the simple staging.
Anthony’s voice is a revelation, it is a privilege to hear a world-class opera superstar in such an intimate space, and I swear I forgot to breath as his falsetto vocals soared to every corner of the room.
Each performer has their own great solo moments – Viv behind a gauze lit by a burnished orange light singing Autumn Leaves as leaves fell gently from on high and Anthony’s The Fairy Queen aria – but the evening gets emotionally turbo charged with their later duets and mash-ups.
Under Pressure took the roof off Wilton’s and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house after their rendition of the Peter Grabriel/Kate Bush duet, Don’t Give Up, given a distinctly queer twist. But my favourite of the night was Dido’s Lament When I Am Laid In Earth from Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas twinned with with pop star Dido’s innocuous White Flag. It was pure theatrical magic.
The showbiz stars have definitely aligned in London’s East End and delivered the hit show of the season.
Do not on any account miss it!
*****
Only An Octave Apart at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB until Saturday 22nd October. Visit OnlyAnOctaveApart.com or wiltons.org.uk for tickets.
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