Epic but patchy musical multiculturalism

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It began as a piece of storytelling, with a lone voice wandering up the aisle of Hawksmoor's church. Alison Crookendale's rich vocal set the scene of a woman seeking sanctuary who, in contemplating her unborn daughter's future, summons up the spirits of Spitalfields - the refugees.

The text was poetic and punchy; the music at times jarring and freeformbut expertly executed by 20 consummate musicians, with electric guitars rubbing up against a Chinese harp and a full brass section blasting against delicate female Indian vocalist Lucy Rahman.

All the performers sang the negro spiritual, Steal Away, which recalled Tippett's A Child of Our Time. This grew from an a capella version into a wonderfully energetic jazz-funk explosion that saved the show from being a piecemeal serving of unsatisfying and slightly self-conscious soul searching.

Grand Union Orchestra
Christ Church, E1