This is Rosemary Ashe’s favourite song from a West End musical – what’s yours?

Rosemary Ashe

Let’s hear it for the big, high, belty notes at the end!

Musical director Mike Reed and St Paul’s Church, Grove Park, are trying to find out what is Chiswick’s favourite song from a West End musical.

‘Mike Reed and Friends’ will perform the winners in Songs from West End Musicals on Sunday 16 November.

We asked West End performer Rosemary Ashe, who lives in Chiswick, what was her favourite. She worked with Mike on the original production of Phantom of the Opera.

She told The Chiswick Calendar:

“My favourite song from a musical is Some People from Gypsy by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim.

“I love it because it’s so powerful musically and carries the story on, giving the audience lots of information about the character of Mama Rose.

“As a performer it’s very rewarding to sing, it’s great storytelling and a fantastic example of acting through song, plus it has a big high belty held note at the end!”

Imelda Staunton as Rose performing ‘Some People’ from Gypsy by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim

Vote for your favourite

If you agree, or if you prefer another song, which might also have a big high belty note at the end (or it might not), here’s your chance to vote for your favourite.

Mike Reed and a group from St Paul’s Church have come up with a list of 50 songs they think are most likely to be the top picks. “We could have had 250”, said Mike.

He has directed many West End musicals himself – Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and currently Bat Out of Hell.

READ ALSO: West End musical director Mike Reed – Profile interview

The ‘Friends’ with whom he will perform the songs with the most votes are all top-quality musicians who he has worked with in the West End over the years. They will be performing with the Kew Unicorn School children’s choir.

If you find your chosen song is not on the list there is a box you can tick to add it.

To vote for your favourite, go here: Songs from West End Musicals

And here is the link to buy tickets for the concert: Mike Reed and Friends present Songs from West End Musicals

Make your vote count and break the deadlock

The current front runners are locked in a fight to the death. These four all have the same number of votes:

Cabaret (Cabaret)
One Day More (Les Miserables)
Send in the Clowns (A Little Night Music)
Somewhere (West Side Story)

“Meanwhile, a strong surge by Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat means that is now rivalling Do You Hear the People Sing“, says co-organiser Julian Tanner.

“And still no votes for some absolute bangers like Anthem from Chess, A Whole New World from Aladdin, and Heaven On Their Minds from Jesus Christ Superstar. So if those are among any Chiswickians’ favourite songs, they need to get on-line and vote”.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar