Popstar to Theatre-star

Kimberley Walsh’s solo album, Centre Stage, hits the shops (or iTunes) today and it is a far cry from those Xenomania-produced pop gems of the Girls Aloud oeuvre. As you probably know, Walsh has turned to the stage for inspiration and recorded an album of songs that are essentially showtunes. I admire Kimberley for taking this direction, but there are some tricky songs on this tracklist which made me doubt how well Centre Stage would turn out. Although Walsh is one of the better Girls Aloud singers, she has only really appeared in Shrek the Musical; she was fantastic as Princess Fiona when I saw her in it but then, this is not the most technical of shows and there are certainly no classic showtunes to contend with. The fact that Kimberley is a fairly new face on the Musical Theatre scene makes the album an even bolder venture.

Now, it is in my nature, as a musical theatre aficionado (almost), to be cynical and dubious of popstars who make the leap from Top 40 to Top Hat. However, there isn’t much to worry about here; Kimberley, for the most part, makes an effortless transition into these stagey musical theatre classics. There are some inspired song choices and a few new arrangements on the album that make her voice sound at home in this genre; theatrics seem to come naturally to her, particularly in one of the album’s new songs, ‘Dreams Can Learn to Fly’. There are only a few instances where Walsh seems overwhelmed; my only real issue being with ‘On My Own’. It might just be that I like this song performed a certain way, but her rendition feels slightly forced and the arrangement is certainly not one of my favourite things. (aside: nice Sound of Music reference there, Kieran).

However, that did not detract from my enjoyment when I listened to Centre Stage and Kimberley’s vocals sound gorgeous on the other tracks. There are certain songs that I would single out as highlights; these include Lloyd Webber’s ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, which suits her voice perfectly, and ‘Memory’ which I actually preferred to most other versions I've heard. I should also say that lead single ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’ has grown on me a lot; it may have taken a while, but I do like Kimberley’s version.

Walsh is not the only member of a girlband that has branched out into musicals however; Anyone recall Sporty Spice’s West End debut in Blood Brothers, her judging stint on ITV’s Superstar or the subsequent arena tour of Jesus Christ? And last year, Melanie C released Stages, an album similar in concept to Centre Stage, which featured hits from both shows, as well as Hair, Company, Cabaret and there’s even a duet with Baby Spice on it! Like Kimberley, Mel C was one of the actual singers in the group and, although neither are my favourites (being ginger means that my heart belongs with Geri and Nicola), they have both proved their talent on stage 8 times a week and on their latest records.

The fact that both these women have delivered on these albums should prove to me that Popstars CAN make that move to the stage AND that they can do it well. However, I’m not quite prepared to see Kerry Katona as Elphaba or that girl from the Sugababes in Into the Woods just yet.