Review: Songs for a New World at Chapel off Chapel

Review By Michelle Drinnan 

Years ago I organised a fundraiser concert that included the song The New World. Deep in admin organisation, I heard these beautiful uplifting lyrics sung in amazing harmony and wondered what could this incredible music be from? When the opportunity came up to review Songs for a New World performed by Soundworks Productions, I jumped at the chance and it didn’t let me down.

 Songs for a New World was an absolute triumph in storytelling, movement, and emotional connection. It isn’t a tradition musical with a storyline, but rather individual songs all offering a moment in time. It reminds me of the musical version of the well know play Urbs Urbis where actors perform seemingly non-connected scenes offering a glimpse of their particular life within a city landscape. 

The choreography was more than just dance — it became a language of its own, seamlessly woven into the storytelling to shift tone, create tension, and bring the emotional beats into sharper focus. The set was used cleverly and fluidly, allowing the dynamics to change instantly while keeping the audience anchored in the journey.

The entire cast delivered outstanding dance work, but Ethan Cooper’s dance talent especially stood out — every movement felt purposeful, technically brilliant, and emotionally charged.  I especially felt the comedic timing in Just One Step by Benoit Vari was spot-on, earning genuine laughter from the audience.

Musically, the production soared. I’m Not Afraid was especially beautiful — sung with such vulnerability and honesty that I found myself on the verge of tears, especially the final stunning emotional from Teo Vergara. Flying Home proved to be an audience favourite, culminating in a well-earned standing ovation. 

The ensemble work was equally impressive, with excellent “background acting” that gave each performer a distinct inner life. Even in moments when the spotlight wasn’t on them, every cast member remained fully present, reacting to the music, the emotions, and the other characters in ways that felt authentic and unscripted. These subtle choices,  a glance exchanged, a shift in posture, a barely audible laugh or sigh, added layers to the storytelling and gave the impression that the world of the show continued beyond the central action. No one ever faded into the scenery; instead, the stage felt inhabited by real people with their own histories, desires, and perspectives, creating a rich, immersive environment where the audience could sense dozens of parallel stories unfolding at once.

The clever and deliberate costume choices gave the show a timeless quality. The designs avoided tying the production to any single decade or fashion trend, allowing the audience to imagine these stories unfolding in the past, present, or future. This universality reinforced the idea that the emotions, struggles, and triumphs at the heart of the show are not confined to one moment in history. Instead, they serve as a reminder that the human condition is both ever-repeating and constantly evolving, with each generation experiencing familiar challenges in new ways.

A heartfelt, visually stunning, and deeply resonant production — Soundworks Productions has delivered a production will stay with me for a long time.

Image Supplied