Cynthia Erivo is one of the most talented British born actress / singer / song-writer there has ever been. She is currently based in the USA which has been quick to embrace and recognise her talent but is barely recognised here in the UK, hopefully that will change shortly as she starts to appear in a number of films.
I vividly remember 3rd May 2010. My wife and I travelled to the Indigo in Greenwich to see Fantasia, we were held up in traffic on the A2 and as we ascended the stairs to our seats in the auditorium, a huge voice stopped me in my tracks singing Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams’, I turned round to see the diminutive figure of a young woman. I did not know who she was until the MC asked her and she proceeded to sing the letters of her name. I predicted that she would be a star one day and unlike other predictions, this one came true.
I have subsequently seen her perform as a supporting artist once, as a headline performer 3 times, singing with Scott Alan once and in four musicals.
Cynthia’s big break came when she took the lead role in the Broadway production of ‘The Color Purple’ which led to her winning a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy. She only needs an Oscar to complete the EGOT, a feat only achieved by 15 people.
Cynthia has one of the greatest voices I have ever heard and what makes her special is the way that she connects to every song she sings. When she sang ‘I’m here’ playing Celie in The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory there were few dry eyes in the house and the song received an instant standing ovation.
Those of us who have been touched by her singing always return for more, I remember a sell-out audience patiently waiting in the pouring rain outside of Shoreditch Town Hall in January last year.
As a busy actress and singer, I imagine that song-writing is not a priority in Cynthia’s life but her song ‘Fly Before You Fall’ was featured in the film ‘Beyond the Lights’ and demonstrates that it is another of her talents.
I am not a regular cinema goer but will certainly find the time to watch Cynthia in ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ and ‘Widows’ and I am told there are another three films in which Cynthia has a leading role.
If you love music then listen to Cynthia singing ‘I’m Here’, ‘Fly Before You Fall’, ‘At All’ or ‘Jump’ or in fact any song she has recorded.
Hopefully one day very soon Britain will fully embrace and recognise Cynthia’s talent.
Johns London Music Reviews 