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Only An Octave Apart

 
Christopher James Review by Christopher James 4 Published: 1 Oct 2022 Wilton's Show Dates: 28 Sep 2022-22 Oct 2022

It is not easy for two performers to keep an audience engaged and enthusiastic throughout a 90+ minute show with no interval. Justin Vivian Bond and Anthony Roth Costanzo are more than capable. Their show Only an Octave Apart first opened Off-Broadway just last year. It has now arrived in London and is running at Wilton’s Music Hall until 22nd October.

Fly your freak flag high and get yourself a ticket

This show is cabaret plus. It is all about highlighting the differences between their voices and styles. On paper this should not work, but in reality it is a tour-de-force. It takes a while to get going and the opening ‘title’ song, which follows five minutes of awkward rehearsed ‘ad-libbing’, does not give the stars the chance to shine as inidividuals. Once the first costume change has taken place Justin Vivian Bond begins to inject some humour into the songs with a great rendition of There are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden. Only then does the show really start to pick up and it becomes a ride you don’t want to end.

The night, however, belongs to Anthony Roth Costanzo. His countertenor voice lends itself beautifully to his operatic style. His performance of Crudel, perché finora where he sings both the male and female roles brings the house down.

From opera to disco this show packs it all in. I don’t want to reveal too much here but the finale is a great example of how the classical can meet more modern music styles in a bizarre mash-up that makes perfect sense in the context of this show. The two performers also do a great job of showing what it is like when you don’t fit in with what society expects of you and is a celebration of all that is unique.

If you are looking to be entertained by two performers at the top of their game showcasing their vocal skills in an eclectic evening that you won’t forget in a hurry then you will not go wrong with this show. Fly your freak flag high and get yourself a ticket.

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The Blurb:

Hot on the heels of a sensational run in New York last year, ‘the greatest cabaret artist of their generation’ (The New Yorker) and ‘the vocally brilliant and dramatically fearless countertenor’ (The New York Times) are bringing their acclaimed show to London. Only An Octave Apart is Justin Vivian Bond and Anthony Roth Costanzo’s joyous and surprising musical fantasia, revelling in everything strange and beautiful in the coexistence of contrasts - from Purcell’s 17th century aria “Dido’s Lament” to Dido’s early 2000s hit “White Flag”, from “Autumn Leaves” to “The Waters of March”. Co-created and directed by Zack Winokur, with music supervision by Thomas Bartlett, arrangements by Nico Muhly, musical direction by Daniel Schlosberg, and costume design by JW Anderson, Only an Octave Apart celebrates the historical and the hysterical, from countertenor to counterculture.

Presented by Kindred Partners and Creative Partners Productions In association with Justin Vivian Bond | Anthony Roth Costanzo | Zack Winokur

Important Covid-19 infromation from the venue

All visitors to the building are encouraged to wear a face covering. Members of staff will also be wearing face coverings. We will have several hand sanitiser stations throughout the venue. We encourage audience members sanitise your hands on arrival and regularly throughout your visit. We have increased ventilation throughout the venue so please note it may be cool inside. Please do not close any windows in the venue or doors that have been safely held open. There will not be a cloakroom. We will have an enhanced cleaning schedule in place.