Exclusive: Watch Hiba Elchikhe sing a cover of “Defying Gravity” with a full lockdown orchestra


July 10, 2020
Exclusive: Watch Hiba Elchikhe sing a cover of “Defying Gravity” with a full lockdown orchestra

West End star and friend of The Theatre Café, Hiba Elchikhe has released an amazing cover of “Defying Gravity”. The video is presented with a full lockdown orchestra.

Creators Jordan Murray and Samuel Wilson got in contact with Hiba to sing the famous standard from the internationally acclaimed musical Wicked, after producing similar projects throughout the isolation period caused by the COVID19 crisis.

Hiba told us: ‘When Sam and Jordan asked me, it was a no brainer. Who doesn’t want to sing “Defying Gravity” with an orchestra?”

The recording, which was completed 100% in isolation, features 37 instrumental parts and a 17 person choir as well as the lead vocals all performed live, mastered and mixed together by Sam and Jordan to create a fantastic lockdown version of the song.

Hiba has most recently starred in the West End production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. Her previous credits include Fiver at Southwark Playhouse and Brooklyn at Greenwich Theatre, but she is perhaps best known for playing Princess Jasmine in the Australian production of Disney’s Aladdin. Hiba also performed a full lockdown concert as part of our The Interval Act series back in May.

The orchestra accompanying Hiba are as follows:

Piccolo: Simon Williams
Flutes 1 & 2: Gareth Davis
Alto Flute: Jack Reddick
Oboe: Laura Ware-Heine
Clarinets 1 & 2: Sophie Creaner
Bassoons 1 & 2: Michael Elderkin
Alto Sax 1 & 2: Laura Harrison
Tenor Sax 1 & 2: Finn McEwen
Baritone Sax: Jack Reddick
Horns 1-4: Ben Lowe
Trumpets 1-3: Luke Davies
Trombones 1 & 2: Sam Gale
Bass Trombone: Simon Chorley
Tuba: Sam Every
Electric Guitar: Ralph Porrett
Acoustic Guitar: Ralph Porrett
Keyboards: Toby Hession
Electric Bass: Cameron Barnett
Drum Kit: Sam Every
Percussion 1 & 2: Jordan Murray
Harp: Catrin Meek
Violins 1 & 2: Izzy Baker
Violas: Helen Milroy
Cellos: Carwyn Jones
Double Bass: Cameron Barnett

Choir
Jess Hopkins
Fiona Scott
Heather Kirk
Becky Wingham
Rachel Wheeler
Anna Hale
Erika Gundesen
Sam Rawlings
Lauren Carey Kevin
Rachel Boucher
Sarah Lucy Penny
Pamela Rollins
Hannah Clark
Dave Ballinger
Ralph Warman
David Zachary
David Woolmore

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