Entertainment

Theatre Review: Paulini Sings The American Divas

Paulini’s one night only show raised the roof of the Regal Theatre

5

Presented by Markus Presents
Reviewed 27 August 2022

After a postponement earlier this year due to health, Paulini raised the roof of The Regal Theatre on Saturday 27 August with the premiere of her new show, Paulini Sings The American Divas.

Opening the night was local up-and-coming musician Ashton Fraser. At just seventeen years old, Ashton has a lot of potential to leave his mark on the South Australian music scene. His effervescent and highly enthusiastic persona oozed off the stage. Performing with only the use of his voice and acoustic guitar, assisted by the use of a looping station, Ashton performed a set of mostly his own compositions, except for his final piece, which was an energetic cover of Coldplay’s Viva La Vida. For the most part, Ashton’s compositions are well-structured with catchy melodies. A few ballads, or slower numbers dispersed between the set, would have allowed Ashton to showcase a wider range of what he can do as a performer, and more experience will help him to tweak his stage craft. For someone so young, Ashton certainly is well on the way to having a successful career in the music industry

Since Paulini’s rise to fame after appearing on Australian Idol in 2003, this incredible vocal superstar has gone from strength to strength. Paulini has been heralded as one of the finest vocalists and performers to come out of Australia, and with a string of albums, awards, solo concert tours and roles in several musicals, it is easy to understand why she is one of Australia’s most in-demand performers. Recently Paulini featured as one of the three Divas in a production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, alongside Adelaide’s very own Vonni. She was able to squeeze in her one-night-only appearance here in Adelaide before heading off to Melbourne to begin rehearsals in a brand new production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, where she will be playing the Narrator.

The show opened with I Will Always Love You, certainly not the easiest piece to open a performance with! However, it was very clear from Paulini’s first note that we were in for a very special night. Each piece in Paulini Sings The American Divas was carefully selected to showcase her sublime voice. Great numbers by Whitney Houston, Madonna, Bette Midler, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Celine Dion, Cher, Donna Summer, and Tina Turner made up the 70-minute set. One of the many things that sets Paulini apart from other singers is how she honours the melody. She never over-complicates her performances with excessive riffs, but she shows utmost respect to the original artist while still making the song her own. Paulini’s voice is like honey. She has an incredible range, especially up in her upper register, accessing belt and iconic melismas with apparent ease.

Paulini was backed by a sensational eight piece band, including two backup singers, who each in their own right (and both shared the same name: Mel) were incredible performers. They also featured as soloists in a couple of numbers, showing their versatility and stunning voices. The band was led by her musical director, Michael Tan, on keyboard. The rest of the band was made up of seasoned Adelaide musicians: David Goodwin (keyboard), Jack Stremple (keyboard), Chris Neale (drums), Jack Degenhart (saxophone) and Sam Cagney (guitar). Perfectly paired with Paulini’s voice, the band brought so much energy to this show.

Paulini is a world class performer. She has great stage presence and her warming personality fills whatever performance space she is in. Producer, Markus Hamence, has once again brought another sensational act to the Regal Theatre. Paulini Sings The American Divas is not only a celebration of such strong female icons of the music industry but a celebration of Paulini’s almost twenty years in the Australian music industry. 

Reviewed by: Ben Stefanoff
Twitter: @theartsislife

One Night Only – Season Ended

Rating out of 5: 5

Markus Presents, Markus Hamence, Paulini, American Divas, Regal Theatre, Ashton Fraser,

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