On 1st April, The Other Palace provided a stunning Easter Sunday treat in the form of a Musical Marathon in aid of The Terrence Higgins Trust. Paul Taylor-Mills, the Artistic Director of The Other Palace, is running the London Marathon in just a few weeks time for this incredible charity. The Terrence Higgins Trust supports those with HIV and strives to provide better education as well as addressing the stigma surrounding it.
In the lead up to his fourth marathon, Taylor-Mills gathered together a programme of huge talent, in which singers performed numbers that inspired them. The lineup included Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls), Evelyn Hoskins (Carrie) and Idriss Kargbo (Five Guys Named Moe).
With a mixture of pop songs, musical theatre and even some exclusive premieres of new work, the diverse programme allowed for a sense of freedom and meant each performance was utterly unique.
Fabulously co-hosting was Vikki Stone who, despite modestly suggesting she was there to “lower the tone”, also performed a comedic original song which kept the audience on their toes.
Other highlights of the evening included Marisha Wallace’s uplifting opening number of “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman, which set an incredible tone for the rest of the night. A particular mention should also go to Oliver Saville who invited the audience to envisage Paul Taylor-Mills at the start of the London Marathon, before delivering a cleverly adapted version of “Go The Distance” from Disney’s Hercules.
The intimacy of The Other Palace made it the perfect space for an evening where the audience was truly involved, with lighthearted heckling keeping spirits high throughout the night.
With all proceeds going to the Terrence Higgins trust and a star-studded lineup delivering heartfelt performances, it’s safe to say the concert was a resounding success. It was truly an inspiring evening and a brilliant showcase of the generosity within the theatre community.
We wish Paul the best of luck for the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April!
To support Paul Taylor-Mills’ charity run and to donate to the Terrence Higgins trust, you can visit his Virgin Money Giving page at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/PaulTaylorMills
Reviewed by Olivia Dowden
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