Barbie the Movie: In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall was awash in pink as it played host to something altogether different: Barbie the Movie: In Concert. This European premiere of the concert-film hybrid saw the all-women Barbie Land Sinfonietta, conducted by Tony Award-winning producer Macy Schmidt, accompany Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster with a live orchestral performance of its score and songs. The combination of high-energy pop and sweeping classical flourishes made for a dazzling, if occasionally uneven, display.

Barbie’s soundtrack, a mix of chart-topping anthems and Andrew Wyatt and Mark Ronson’s synth-heavy score, does not immediately lend itself to orchestral treatment. Yet, under Schmidt’s direction, the Sinfonietta brought a surprising depth to many arrangements, with sweeping symphonic layers that enriched the melodies of songs like Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For? and Dua Lipa’s Dance the Night, adding a lush, immersive quality to their sound.

Action-packed sequences – particularly Ken’s spirited battle for Mojo Dojo Casa House dominance – were reimagined with a fresh intensity, the brass section delivering a near-operatic drama that rivalled a full-blown Hollywood adventure score.

Helen Mirren’s wry narration was a welcome presence throughout, adding a knowing wit that cut through the grandeur. Behind-the-scenes clips, including a cameo from Barbie actress Issa Rae, offered a fascinating glimpse into how the production came together, grounding the event in the creative process behind the film. The sheer scale of the performance was a triumph in itself, with the ensemble immersed against the pink-hued hall, and Schmidt’s direction ensuring a tight, polished execution throughout.

However, some of Barbie’s pure pop moments felt slightly at odds with the orchestral setting. Many of the movie’s more high-energy tracks, like Charli XCX’s Speed Drive, lost a touch of their punch in translation. The show soared when the orchestra and film were in perfect sync, but at times, the live performance overshadowed the visuals rather than complementing them. The symphony’s volume occasionally drowned out the movie’s dialogue, disrupting the delicate balance between the music and the narrative.

That said, Barbie the Movie: In Concert delivered exactly what it promised: a lavish experience that offered another layer of theatricality on an already vibrant film. While not every moment landed perfectly, the spectacle of it all – combined with the undeniable talent of the Barbie Land Sinfonietta – made for a night as bold, bright and ambitious as Barbie herself.

Christina Yang
Photo: Andy Paradise

For further information and future events visit Barbie the Movie: In Concert’s website here.