A star was born last night at Cadogan Hall, as Shanay Holmes celebrated her career to date and the release of her album, Becoming, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and an eager audience of devoted fans, family, collaborators and friends.
There was no better way to spend a Saturday night than listening to Shanay perform musical and pop classics ranging from Jonathan Larson’s Rent to the world-famous “Smile”, based on the Charlie Chaplin instrumental, alongside a truly breathtaking performance of Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”. Shanay’s stage credits span Miss Saigon, Thriller Live, Get Up, Stand Up! and, of course, Oliver!, for which she won the Black British Theatre Award for Best Female Lead Actor in a Musical 2025. Now about to launch her first album, Cadogan Hall provided the perfect stage for her to launch the next step in her dazzling career.
Cadogan Hall has always been one of my favourite London performance venues; its acoustics are dazzling, its seats are comfortable, and its atmosphere is second to none. It’s a space where quieter moments of musical wonder are just as important as those that raise the roof. Shanay clearly understood this with a set list (some of which was taken from her new album) that celebrated the stunning diversity of musical theatre as well as its relationship to contemporary pop, classical rock, jazz, big band, reggae and soul.
A classic track from Bob Marley matched the heat outside the hall as the venue suddenly transformed into a Kingston, Jamaica beachside club. While Shanay’s performance of “Where Is Love” from Oliver! gently tugged at heartstrings before reaching its heartbreaking crescendo. This was a concert firmly grounded in a single message of hope, love, and togetherness, led by an exceptional artist and a world-class concert orchestra.
With a liquid gold voice and an energetic, bubbly persona that drew the audience into her world of wonder, emotion, and love, Shanay Holmes’ golden era has only just begun, and I, for one, can’t wait to see it unfold.
Shanay’s debut album is now available to pre-order.
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