"Rosalie, Sandra and Jodie"

Nottingham Playhouse

As part of the Nottingham Playhouse Unlocked Season this was due to be streamed totally live as well an in house, socially distanced audience, but due to the latest lock down, the show was streamed completely online.

Nottingham’s own Rosalie Craig has worked extensively in the West End. She won the Evening Standard’s Best Performance in a Musical Award on two occasions and was nominated for an Olivier for her performance as Bobbie in "Company" – the first time the role has been played by a female.

Sandra Marvin, known for her powerhouse vocals, has had leading roles in a number of hit shows including "Showboat", "Chicago" and "Hairspray". Most recently, you may have seen Sandra starring in Emmerdale, where she played Jessie Grant for two years.

Jodie Prenger shot to fame after winning BBC’s "I’d Do Anything" and taking on the role of Nancy in "Oliver!". Since then, she’s starred in a number of productions including "Annie", "Fat Friends the Musical" and "Abigail’s Party".

Sara Poyzer was last seen performing at Nottingham Playhouse as Sarah Jane Moore in Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins". Prior to that, she played the role of Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! for over six years on and off, on the International Tour and in the West End. You will also be able to see her this December as the fairy Godmother in the Playhouse panto "Cinderella"

The concert kicked off with a Sondheim tribute of "Everything's Coming Up Roses". "Tonight" and the under estimated but gorgeous "Losing My Mind" showing us the vocal talents of Sara, Rosalie and Sandra.

Jodie Prenger then performed her first of three pre recorded sections, and she has gone all blonde on us "Secret Love" was very Marilyn Monroe-esque and had an air of innocence. Gone was the innocence for "The Trolley Song" as Jodie injected the fun into the "Meet Me In St Louis" song made famous by Garland and then cor blimey, even more fun with "Oom Pah Pah" from "Oliver!"

Sandra, who I know want to see everything she has done as she is gorgeous and has a powerhouse of a voice. "When You're Good To Mama" from "Chicago" was earthy, "I Didn't Plan It" from "Waitress", the mournfully beautiful "Summertime", "I Will Always Love You" and just as I had felt wrung of emotion came my favourite song from "Hairspray", the incredible "I Know Where I've Been" which just completely exhausted me in the best way. You may have also recognised her from her role in "Emmerdale".

Rosalie sang "With Every Breath I Take" from the musical "City Of Angels" which showcased a beautifully haunting cello solo, a spine tingling "With You", my favourite song from the musical "Ghost". "Darkest Hour" from the Tori Amos penned musical "The Light Princess" followed by another beautiful piece of musical theatre with "Back To Before" from "Ragtime" and then the sublime "Being Alive".

Sara packed so much emotion into "Maybe This Time" from "Cabaret" and after kicking the evening off with "Everything's Coming Up Roses" she joined Rosalie and Sandra in a tribute to Carol King with the medley of "Beautiful", "You've Got A Friend" and "Natural Woman".

This performance was truly a celebration of the female voice within musical theatre, and I for one absolutely loved it. Sat at my PC desk watching online, I was tempted to stand and applaud at the end, but I may have received some weird looks from the family, so I gave a virtual standing ovation to these four wonderful women.