BWW Reviews: WILLEMIJN VERKAIK - IN CONCERT, Ambassadors Theatre, August 25 2015

Tom Cox

Whether you're in Holland, Germany, the UK or the US, Willemijn Verkaik should need no introduction. Donning the Wicked green make-up in all four countries, Verkaik's credits include Donna in Mamma Mia, the Killer Queen in We Will Rock You and most recently Kala in Stuttgart's Tarzan. She is a musical theatre star and if there's any shred of doubt her sold-out concert at the Ambassadors Theatre leaves no room for questions.

Draped in a stunning dress, Verkaik begins the show by taking us through some of the songs that have marked her career, including an acoustic version of 'The Winner Takes It All' and an evocative medley from Tarzan. It's clear that despite taking this night to reflect, Verkaik's career is striving forward and she reveals that she'd like her next challenge to be originating a new role, perhaps with one of the many fantastic composers she admires.

And they admire her too! Over the last few years Verkaik has been a regular at musical theatre concerts, presenting work for the likes of Scott Alan and Jason Robert Brown and displaying such immense vocal talent and precise storytelling it is no surprise she's hot property.

As well as the expected, Verkaik offers us a varied repertoire; all with custom licks and trills excelling with utter control. Standouts include Alan's 'Watch Me Soar', which Verkaik performs on his album, a wise and informed version of 'Stars and the Moon' and the sultry 'Life of the Party' from Andrew Lippa's Wild Party. The latter gives Verkaik ample opportunity to impress and entertain, and with the help of Tom Deering's fantastic band she raises the roof off the Ambassadors. Special guests for the evening include James Fox and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt both providing effortless performances and some added variety.

Verkaik also holds a Q&A and ambles through a collection of industry anecdotes illuminating some of her life behind the spotlight and the hard work she's endured to stand on this stage. In case you've been hiding under a rock you may have heard a certain Frozen anthem 'Let It Go' and you'll be illuminated to know that Verkaik sang the track for the Dutch and German versions of the film. So of course we're treated to her version with some sensational singing as she gracefully sings through in three, yes, three, different languages.

Three seems to be a lucky number in this show, which leads neatly onto her encore. After some heavy applause Verkaik returns to give her parting gift from the show that has defined her career thus far. Not satisfied with just one, to end the concert Verkaik performs a medley of three stand-out Elphaba tracks and, with that, crowns herself musical theatre royalty as her loyal subjects launch to their feet.

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