Album review: MARISHA WALLACE - LIVE IN LONDON, Westway Music
It’s been quite an extraordinary year for stage and screen star Marisha Wallace. From a memorable stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house to an Olivier nomination, she’s also made history as the first Black actress to take on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Now, Wallace releases her highly anticipated album, Marisha Wallace - Live in London—her first in five years.
Recorded in front of a sold out live audience at the Adelphi Theatre, the album captures not only Marisha’s powerhouse vocals but also the infectious energy of the crowd, making the listener feel as if they were there in person, taking us on a whistle-stop tour through the life and career of the accomplished performer. The album is a vibrant celebration of Marisha’s musical journey, featuring a mix of songs and medleys from her favourite artists and the iconic musicals she’s graced the stage in. Audiences are treated to unforgettable moments from shows like Dreamgirls, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Oklahoma!, and more, as Marisha’s soaring vocals bring new life to each classic tune.
Marisha describes her story as one of hard work, triumphs, and determination, as well as challenging moments, including troubled marriages and fraud. In this two-act album, she leaves no stone unturned. Act One opens with a powerful rendition of ‘Some People’ from Gypsy and ‘Mysterious Ways’ from The Color Purple. Marisha’s interludes offer a glimpse into her childhood, growing up in the church with a mother who was a pastor. She recalls singing her first solo at just five years old, before facing a setback in her teenage years when a cyst was discovered on her vocal cords. The way she seamlessly intertwines songs with personal storytelling is truly remarkable, with gospel elements that shine throughout during the early numbers. An energetic Whitney Houston medley follows, showcasing her incredible vocal range.
Marisha’s story is one of resilience and hope. She recalls moving to Brooklyn and sharing a rat-infested apartment with four boys—hardly the glamorous start one might expect in the Big Apple. Undeterred, she continued auditioning and performed wherever she could, from cruise ships to theme parks, driven by one goal: to have her voice heard (‘Shine’ from Oklahoma!). The album also unveils a personal moment—her secret wedding, which seamlessly transitions into a heartfelt rendition of ‘My Man’ from Funny Girl, followed by ‘Miles and Miles’ from the Christmas film Jingle Jangle, where Marisha voices the character Ms. Johnston.
Act One concludes with the remarkable story of Marisha’s journey, from playing a tap-dancing egg named Eggy White in Something Rotten! on Broadway to moving to London on a whim to take on the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls at the West End's Savoy Theatre. With only five days of rehearsal and little recognition, she initially faced the challenge of not receiving the usual audience reaction when Effie first appeared on stage. However, her performance of ‘And I Am Telling You’, released prior to the album’s official launch, perfectly showcases Marisha’s vocal control and her ability to act through song. It’s a moment that surely won over the audience, earning a well-deserved, rapturous response and bringing Act One to a triumphant close.
Act Two opens with more show-stopping numbers from Dreamgirls, as Marisha Wallace is joined by fellow West End star Sharlene Hector for a powerful rendition of ‘Listen’. Keeping it real with a playful comment about her Primark shoes and Vinted dress, it’s clear why Wallace has become a fan-favourite performer. The raw emotion in her voice shines through as she reflects on how Dreamgirls marked the beginning of it all. What was initially meant to be a three-week stint turned into a two-year run, driven by audience demand. During the best of times, her career was soaring, but the worst of times found her marriage unraveling. As she was breaking up with Curtis on stage every night, she was also facing the end of her marriage offstage, which she poignantly expresses through ‘I Didn’t Plan It’ from Waitress.
A Waitress reunion pie (interlude) was always going to be on the menu, especially since the concert took place at the very theatre where the hit show originally ran. Lucie Jones and Laura Baldwin, who starred as Jenna and Dawn respectively, joined Marisha, who played Becky in the London production. Marisha shares how, during that time, she was going through so much in her personal life, but the people on that show really supported her. This heartfelt moment led into an emotionally charged performance of ‘A Soft Place to Land’, with the three performers delivering perfectly harmonised vocals, creating a powerful and moving rendition. The set is then followed by a heartfelt tribute to the late, great Gavin Creel, the man who encouraged Marisha to stay in London. It was his advice—"this is where I found myself"—that inspired her to take the leap and start a new chapter of her life in the city.
Marisha’s struggles with her choice in men continued after her divorce, culminating in being scammed out of £60,000. But the spotlight quickly shifts to her star turn in Guys and Dolls, where her performance of ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ earned her a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical at the 2024 Olivier Awards. The celebration of her success takes a playful turn as Marisha recounts finding love during Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour, where she had a memorable encounter with a 6ft bodyguard—a nod to her admiration for Whitney Houston and The Bodyguard, which seemed to come to life. Initially resistant to love, unsure if she deserved it, Marisha delivers a flawless rendition of ‘Maybe This Time’, a song she performed during her acclaimed West End run as Sally Bowles and is now reprising on Broadway.
Act Two concludes with a stirring rendition of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ from Hairspray, perfectly capturing the emotion of Marisha’s journey. This is immediately followed by another powerhouse performance of ‘Cabaret’. While it’s tempting to repeatedly emphasise the sheer brilliance of her vocals, anyone who has had the privilege of seeing her perform live knows it’s a given. Marisha is, without a doubt, a one-of-a-kind performer. But it’s not just her voice that captivates; her warmth and wit shine through in abundance, making her not just a star on stage, but a person who connects deeply with her audience.
Marisha Wallace - Live in London offers a fascinating insight into the self-proclaimed ‘Brit’-ish treasure, with the live setting giving her the freedom to interact with her audience. It’s a perfectly crafted blend of musical styles and genres that not only highlight her exceptional talent but also tell a truly remarkable story that could be a musical in itself. A musical memoir, it’s both a tribute to her roots and a celebration of her extraordinary versatility as an artist. As Marisha reminds her audience, "The world needs to see you smile," and fortunately, we have this album to bring that smile to life.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jordan Potts
Marisha Wallace - Live in London is now available to stream/purchase here.