Review: Jon Robyns In Concert (His Majesty's Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

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West End leading man Jon Robyns swapped his usual home of His Majesty’s Theatre last Sunday to appear at… His Majesty’s Theatre. The star, currently playing The Phantom in the fairly new little-known musical The Phantom Of The Opera was instead headlining his first solo concert in the West End. Without adorning a mask or stealing a loaf of bread, would he still be able to capture audiences with the music of the night or would it leave us all feeling miserable?

Since graduating in 2004, Jon Robyns has been a regular fixture on stage in London and all over the UK with shows including Hamilton, Memphis and Avenue Q. In recent years, he has played two of the most iconic roles in musical theatre from the two longest-running musicals, taking on Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and currently starring in The Phantom Of The Opera. This concert promised to see him relive some of these classic roles, but this wasn’t quite in the way people expected.

Rather than perform a more conventional setlist, peppering in greatest hits throughout, Jon came up with the concept to celebrate 20 years of performing in musical theatre by performing one song from a musical in each of the last 20 years, starting with show opener, 2004’s ‘Here I Am’ from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. A unique concept which gave the opportunity for some unexpected performances, even if the wheels did come off the theme for some years. Among the numbers were ‘I Could be That Guy’ from Sister Act  and ‘Hushabye Mountain’ from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, both of which Robyns starred in. The incredible and much-missed Memphis was represented with ‘The Music Of My Soul’ in a highlight of the night, while Jon got to live his Back To The Future fantasy in a rocking ‘Johnny B. Goode’ – the resulting performance can only be described as Jonny Be Good.

As the evening drew to a close with more recent numbers, audiences were treated to a bit of the musical Jon Robyns wrote last year in a beautiful ‘Where I Belong’ from Then, Now & Next. It was the 2024 inclusion that really wowed, however, in the surprising standout of the night. We got a glimpse of the future with a spectacularly beautiful song called ‘Hear Me’ from new musical The Diving Bell and The Butterfly Jon is workshopping. Proving the versatility and range of his voice, it was a perfect number to end the last 20 years segment of the show and showcase Jon’s fantastic talents.

Jon Robyns wasn’t alone for this performance with a host of special guests joining him for their own time in the spotlight and duets together. Cassidy Janson was on hand to remind us all how sensational she was in Beautiful with a stunning ‘Natural Woman’ while  Jon’s Phantom co-star Lily Kerhoas delivered a gorgeous ‘Hand In My Pocket’ from Jagged Little Pill (coming to the West End in Fall 2022). The South London Youth Theatre where Jon is a patron got a couple of sweet moments with impressive staging in ‘When I Grow Up’ from Matilda and ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman.

As well as being an incredible singer, Jon Robyns also has the kind of personality that brings a touch of comedy to his performances. This was felt before he had even stepped on to the stage with Giles Terera beating him to the punch, hoping to reprise his role as Aaron Burr and narrate the evening – a skit that repeated itself throughout in true hilarious fashion. With Terera bringing his book, Olivier award and MBE on stage, it was comedy gold and left me wanting a stand up show or sitcom from the two performers. The comedy continued as they reunited with a puppet-adorning Simon Lipkin before launching into ‘If You Were Gay’ from Avenue Q – a favourite among the delighted audience on the night.

Those expecting anything from The Phantom Of The Opera would have to return to the same theatre another night as the songs were conspicuously absent. We did get a token number from Les Miserables thankfully as Jon closed the show with a beautiful ‘Bring Him Home’, demonstrating the skill of his incredible voice. While the 20 year concept was admirable in its attempts, it did restrict the choices of the evening very slightly, leading to a setlist that wasn't quiteperfectlypaced. A minor quibble in the grand scheme of things though as with Jon’s vocals, you got the sense he could have sung the phone book (ask your grandparents) and we would have loved every moment of it.

Jon Robyns is as talented a performer as the West End has. As well as his incredible singing voice, he has a striking stage presence which comes alive thanks to a big personality and naturally funny bones. His musicality was also clear to see as he accompanied himself, and one of his guests, by playing multiple instruments. Perhaps not the show or set list some expected, but still a truly wonderful night from a remarkably talented performer.

Setlist:

Overture

Here I Am (From Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)

I’m Not That Smart (from Spelling Bee)

I Could Be That Guy (from Sister Act)

So Close (From Enchanted)

Jazz Time (from Marguerite)

Music Of My Soul (from Memphis)

When I Grow Up (from Matilda) (performed by South London Youth Theatre & Lily Kerhoas)

Say It To me Now (from Once)

Blackbird (from Let It Be)

Natural Woman (from Beautiful) (performed by Cassidy Janson)

They Can’t Take That Away From Me (from An American In Paris)

You’ll Be Back (from Hamilton)

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A Million Dreams (from The Greatest Showman) (with South London Youth Theatre & Cassidy Janson)

Make You Feel My Love (from Girl From The North Country) (performed with Giles Terera)

Hand In My Pocket (from Jagged Little Pill) (performed by Lily Kerhoas)

Hushabye Mountain (from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

Johnny B. Goode (from Back To The Future)

Why (from Tick, Tick… Boom!)

Sweet Caroline (from A Beautiful Noise) (with South London Youth Theatre)

Where I Belong (from Then, Now & Next) (with Cassidy Janson)

Hear Me (from The Diving Bell and The Butterfly)

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If You Were Gay (from Avenue Q) (with Simon Lipkin)

Bring Him Home (from Les Miserables)

Jon Robyns in concert played at His Majesty's Theatre on 26th May. He can be seen at the same theatre in The Phantom Of The Opera. Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk

Photos by Bonnie Britain