Love Actually In Concert at Lighthouse Poole Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Georgina Bentley

Wow, wow, wow!! What a totally amazing evening that was! A night of live music and a fantastic film that worked through all of our emotions.

Love Actually, a seasonal RomCom, was screened in the Concert Hall at The Lighthouse in Poole with the soundtrack being played by a live orchestra. The Concert Hall is a great venue for any live music but really does suit an orchestra, however I was a little uncertain before getting there about watching a film in the concert hall. I had no need to worry as it was actually the perfect venue. The stage was full of the musicians – all in black and with just their stand lights to illuminate their music – behind the orchestra was the giant screen in which the film was to be projected. While the audience were taking their seats, adverts were being shown on the screen for future performances that were being produced by Senbla.

When the lights went down the orchestra treated us to the Love Actually overture which set the scene of romance, upset, hope, joy and laughter – all of which would be experienced in the next couple of hours.

The film has an all-star cast, including Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Kiera Knightly and Colin Firth, amongst others. It follows 10 stories where love clearly is all around during the festive season, with an amazing soundtrack to boot.

Just before the film started – just like in any cinema – we had the studio logo of Universal Pictures with the fanfare being played live, it was just simply stunning and precisely timed by all musicians.

Then to the main act – the film itself. I was fully immersed in the film which is a firm favourite of mine and one which I have seen many times. I had to pinch myself on many occasions throughout the film as it was quite unbelievable that the soundtrack was live. The entries were so subtle and perfect in timing, even ‘lip syncing’ meticulously to what was on the screen.

Every musician in the orchestra played their part to their best ability whilst having fun in doing so. The string section were phenomenal with their entries, the drum solo during the school concert was rocking, the trumpets rising to play the fanfare was also a nice touch. There really were too many special moments to mention them all.

Tonight we were definitely part of something very special and Love Actually in Concert achieved making, what I thought was already perfect, the film even more perfect. I cried, I laughed (a lot) and I felt the love that is all around at Christmas.

If you ever get a chance to see this (or another film live in concert), then don’t miss the opportunity, you absolutely won’t regret it.

Although, this was a one-off concert, there are others available at Lighthouse Poole during this festive season.

Rating:

For more information and tickets visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Or call the BSO Box Office on 01202 280000
Location: Lighthouse Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Tickets for this event cost from £37.95 (booking fees may apply).