Step Behind The Stage
Musicals By Candlelight
The Actors' Church, London - 10/11/24
Review by Nicki Storey
Photo Credit: Jamie Scott-Smith
Icon Strings, a four-piece string quartet, are currently commanding the historic St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden with their Musicals by Candlelight concert, running until 1st May 2025. Surrounded by, unsurprisingly, a sea of candles, the quartet flooded the church, also known as the Actors’ Church, with an hour of string interpretations of some of their favourite musicals from across the ages.
With a steady mix of old and new, upbeat and emotional, and stage and screen, the audience were transported straight out of the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden and into the orchestra pit. Icon Strings kicked off the night by setting the tone with an enchanting rendition of ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King.
A personal highlight of the concert was the upbeat and overwhelmingly impressive ‘Money, Money, Money’ from Mamma Mia. Such a full, encompassing sound from just four musicians is a wonderful feat, especially within the church walls, whose acoustics amplified every note beautifully.
A welcome addition to the evening was the introduction to many of the songs. So as not to overly disrupt the flow of the set list, every few numbers a member of the quartet addressed the audience to set the scene for what was coming next. In doing so, they made the concert instantly more accessible for those unfamiliar with the source material.
These introductions included insight into the group’s thought process behind choosing each piece and their shared love for the songs, composers, and productions. Most importantly, they explained where each song sits within its respective show, allowing the audience to understand the emotional weight behind each number. This context, paired with brief plot summaries, was a brilliant touch.
Photo Credit: Jamie Scott-Smith
Other standout moments included the dramatic ‘Roxanne’ from the jukebox musical Moulin Rouge and the heart-breaking ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ from Grease.
Drowning out the sounds of Covent Garden, with its street performers and endless crowds, is no easy feat. Although faint murmurs from outside occasionally slipped in during the spoken moments, during the music itself you would have been forgiven for thinking it was just you and the quartet, with the sound completely filling the space. The audience’s applause after each song certainly drowned out the outside world.
Perhaps the biggest sign of how much the audience were enjoying the evening came when Icon Strings announced their final number. The audible gasp and palpable excitement at the reveal of ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked was unforgettable, made even more fitting by the continued buzz surrounding the film adaptation. After being transported to Oz, the audience erupted into applause.
While it may be standard for smaller ensembles, this review would not be complete without praising the incredible communication, coordination, and trust required for the quartet to perform without a conductor. This only added to the intimacy of the performance.
The grounds of St Paul’s Church are open to the public and decorated with warm string lights, with a glowing red backdrop illuminating the building and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Inside, audiences are met with rows of pews and a small stage area surrounded by candles. As the overhead lights dim, the candlelit glow creates a truly enchanting setting.
Icon Strings ended their performance with an encore, offering a sneak peek at Musicals by Candlelight at Christmas with a short medley from the 2003 film Love Actually. This was met with roaring applause and brought the evening to a perfect close.
With tickets starting from as little as £20, this is an unforgettable night of music in a magical setting and one that is absolutely not to be missed.