Love Actually in Concert at Colston Hall Review
Posted on: 2017-12-03
Our rating:
Love Actually is full of well-known songs as well as a deeply emotive score and most people can't help but get a bit misty-eyed when watching it (myself included). But with this addition of an orchestra, it really took our enjoyment to another level.
It felt like the festive season was well and truly kicked off at the Colston Hall in Bristol last night (Saturday 2nd December) when the well-loved modern Christmas film 'Love Actually' was screened alongside a full orchestra.
This is one of my all-time favourite feel good movies, but I wasn't sure how this different set up of having live music alongside the film would exactly work. Myself and everyone else in the audience was definitely satisfied with how they managed it though; a fairly large amount of talented musicians were on the stage as we all took to our seats and they, without a doubt, managed to perform Craig Armstrong's score to us in a way that means it will be impossible not to think of them when we all watch this flick again.
Love Actually is full of well-known songs as well as a deeply emotive score and most people can't help but get a bit misty-eyed when watching it (myself included). But with this addition of an orchestra, it really took our enjoyment to another level.
This 2003 box office success is all about love and it shows ten separate stories, several being interlinked as the tales unfold. The film begins five weeks before Christmas and you learn of the different types of issues that can make love complicated and yet so sweet; it's the sort of story line that can warm the coldest of hearts to be honest.
At the beginning of the night, the orchestra had a chance to introduce their sounds and style as they played to us for a while before the film started; once the movie commenced - it was a case of almost forgetting they were there as they blended in with the background so well and we all got immersed into the narrative.
We had an interval at what felt like an obvious break in the film and then when everyone settled back down for the second half with their drinks and snacks - the orchestra brought us back into the moment. However, before we knew it, the film had come to its series of emotional endings and the credits were rolling on the large screen - giving us another final chance to hear the wrap up music from this fantastically talented group of performers on the main stage at the Colston Hall.
This was a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an evening and I for one am now hooked on this concept of a live orchestra being alongside a film; it has however left me feeling like something is now fundamentally missing when I watch TV in my simple living room space!
Article by:
Kelly worked as a journalist for the BBC for 12 years before she changed careers and went into the field of marketing. Having worked at BBC 6 Music for several years, she is passionate about many different genres of sound. Her other interests include theatre, comedy, books, food and days out with the family (she has a young daughter who she describes as a "whirlwind of fun.") Kelly is married to Vik who is a true Bristolian to the core! She is also studying nutritional therapy.
