A week ago, I got the pleasure of enjoying not one incredible gig but TWO, thanks to four of my favourite West End Wendies. First up was “Dressing Room 9” aka Dianne Pilkington, Samantha Seager and Pippa Duffy who currently share a room at Only Fools and Horses the musical with an afternoon at The Theatre Cafe. With just a brief interval between shows, next up was Jennifer Hepburn: One Night Only at the Above the Arts cabaret venue. To those who may not know, Jen is currently starring in Mamma Mia! in the ensemble and cover for all three Dynamos.

Both gigs were so stonkingly good, that I wish I had time to give them the full individual reviews they deserve, but due to time constraints this little summary will have to do – but I think neither party will mind me shouting out about powerful women empowering women!

As I mentioned, the day of gigs began with “Dressing Room 9” at the Theatre Cafe – and having followed Dianne Pilkington, Samantha Seager and Pippa Duffy in Only Fools and Horses the musical for the past year there was no way I could miss this special event from these women (sorry SIX – I definitely had to sacrifice my tickets by returning them, but I’ll be back eventually!) and I’m so glad I could make it. The trio started strong with the catchy and foot-tappingly energetic You Could Drive A Person Crazy from Company which showcased their impressive vocal ranges and set us all in high-spirits.

The gig then continued with each leading lady getting two solo numbers. First up was Samantha Seager who surprised and wowed us with Edith Piaf’s Padam, sung in French and expertly executed, and then she later had the room on the edge of our seats with emotion as she poured her heart out to Sia’s Chandelier – a song which she explained is very personal to her.

Next up, Pippa Duffy gave us an interesting choice of Like Love from (in her words!) “an obscure 1960s musical called Charlie Girl” – but it was great to hear something different and unexpected. In addition, she gave us her take on Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now and while she confessed she felt it’s overdone, she decided that she “bloody loves it so wanted to do it anyway” and who can argue with that? Both were brilliant performances.

Dianne Pilkington treated us to a trip down memory lane to her previous job with a double-speed version of Please Don’t Touch Me from Young Frankenstein, which was super fun and hysterical as ever; along with Always Remember Us This Way, a song which seems to have welded its way into many performers repertoires, but the performance speaks for itself as she completely made the song her own and it was stunning.

We also got to see them each sharing duets, so Pippa & Sammy teamed up for Hand In My Pocket from Jagged Little Pill due to a connected love from all three of Alanis Morrisette. Dianne & Sammy buddied up for a hilarious comedic bit with a homage to their hometown of Wigan in their alternative version of The Apple Doesn’t Fall from The Rink. Dianne & Pippa made the audience audibly gasp from the first note when they began singing For Good – and I don’t think there were many dry eyes left in the cafe by this point.

Finally, the show closed with a reminder as to why we were there, as the girls were not only celebrating a year of friendship through working together, but they were also raising money for Alzheimers Society UK as it’s a cause close to their hearts – and they have raised an amazing over £2K in under 4 weeks. Then we were sung out with another trio ensemble of the perfectly apt Hold On by Wilson Phillips.

It was just a perfect afternoon of friendship, strength, and jollity; and as joyous as it is watching them in Only Fools & Horses, it was so wonderful to see a little bit more from these women away from their characters. I really hope there’s room for more gigs in the future because if the fiercely warm reception and full-house was anything to go by, there’s definitely a demand; and if these ladies aren’t on your radar they certainly should be. You can watch the gigs Livestream back HERE.

After the brief interval, we moved onto the Above The Arts cabaret venue for Jennifer Hepburn. I’ve also been supporting Jen for a while now and I was so excited when she announced this gig as I was really keen to hear more of her vocals away from Mamma Mia. It’s hard to believe this was her first solo show, as she jumped straight into it like a true pro opening with A New Life from Jekyll & Hyde. It’s not a song I was overly familiar with but it was a beautiful, bold and emotive opener that grabbed our attention immediately.

It was evident in her song choices that Jen is a big Sara Bareilles fan (I mean, who isn’t though?) as she sang two songs from Waitress (Bad Idea and I Didn’t Plan It, if you were wondering), Gravity and Sara’s version of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

She also sang a vast array of theatre and film songs, but all making them completely her own. A few highlights include I Dreamed A Dream (Les Mis), Isn’t It Funny (Dogfight) and Rather Be Me (Mean Girls). Along with a few fierce female classics like Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin) and You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me (Cher) thrown in too.

She also kindly invited current Mamma Mia! castmate Daniel Clift in which was her duet partner for Bad Idea, but he also sang Falling by Harry Styles solo – which was lovely, as you rarely get to hear just how talented swing/ensemble performers are.

Jen was also raising for a cause close to her heart, which was Refuge – a charity supporting women and families faced with domestic abuse and violence. After sharing some alarming and upsetting facts, and a little bit of her story; she sang So Big, So Small from Dear Evan Hansen which she explained was special to her. Believe me when I say there wasn’t a single dry eye in that room. I’m amazed she got through the song as well as she did because the rest of us definitely didn’t! However, it was a beautifully inspiring and empowering moment.

Closing the show was her take on This Is Me from The Greatest Showman, and it felt the like the perfect choice. Once again, it carried on the theme of the day with being a perfect evening. Jen’s talents seem hugely underrated as her vocals always leave me in awe every time I get to see her perform, so this was a real treat and fingers crossed for more. If you haven’t already, be sure to get Jen Hepburn on your radar too.

I left both gigs feeling rather emotional but inspired by powerful women, and long may that vibe continue.