REVIEWS FOR 'CHICAGO'
"The onstage band, under the direction of Ian Townsend is exceptional. The evening's best moment comes when the brass are given the spotlight at the start of the second act."
Michael Billington, THE GUARDIAN. April 2018
"Thanks to Kander and Ebb's dangerously hummable score, it is the band under the direction of Ian Townsend who get the biggest audience plaudits of the night."
Greg Stewart, THEATRE WEEKLY. April 2018
"The music is the real star of the production. Musical Director Ian Townsend clearly having a ball....the orchestra threatens to steal the show."
Jonathan Evans, THE SPY IN THE STALLS. April 2018
"Leading the band, we had Ian Townsend. The band, slapped right in the middle of the action, showed us why we love live theatre. I couldn't take my eyes off this talented bunch of musicians."
Mark Swale, POCKET SIZE THEATRE. April 2018
"...under the sensitive and rousing leadership of MD Ian Townsend."
Daniel Perks, MIRO MAGAZINE. April 2018
"The band, under the direction of Ian Townsend are premier division."
Anne Cox, STAGE REVIEW. April 2018
"The orchestra under the entertaining Musical Direction of Ian Townsend are an absolute joy."
Caroline Hanks-Farmer, CARNS THEATRE PASSION. April 2018
"The Ian Townsend-directed band is in fine form, getting a welcome showcase at the opening of Act 2."
BROADWAY WORLD.COM, April 2018
"The sizzling onstage band, under Musical Director Ian Townsend."
TALK STAGEY TO ME.COM, April 2018
"The blistering jazz orchestra led by Ian Townsend."
Tony Peters, RADIO TIMES. April 2018
"Ian Townsend's sensational band."
Douglas Mayo, BRITISH THEATRE.COM. April 2018
"The orchestra, directed by Ian Townsend is on stage throughout and were utterly delightful to watch and listen to."
Chris Omaweng, LONDON THEATRE1.COM. April 2018
"Cheers to every last member of the band under Ian Townsend, hitting show-off solos and pumping ensembles with authentic jazzman glee."
Libby Purves, THEATRECAT.COM. April 2018
"Ian Townsend's band are in fine form throughout, none more so than in the ecstatic Act 2 opening, which manages that rare trick of making audiences listen to an Entr'acte."
Ian Foster, OFFICIAL THEATRE.COM. April 2018
REVIEWS FOR 'MARY POPPINS'
"Massive thumbs-up to the brilliant orchestra under the baton of Ian Townsend, who bring a big, powerful buzz to the auditorium."
LEICESTER MERCURY, October 2015
"Played exquisitely by a tight band, with some delightful solo work, under MD Ian Townsend."
FINE TIMES RECORDER, November 2015
"The 12-piece band under the musical direction of Ian Townsend were terrific."
BRISTOL POST, November 2015
"Supported brilliantly by a 12-piece orchestra under the direction of Ian Townsend."
WORCESTER NEWS, November 2015
"Musical Director Ian Townsend and his 12-piece band handle the show's changes of mood with panache."
MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEW, November 2015
"The superb orchestra under Ian Townsend."
NORTH WEST END REVIEW, January 2016
"Conducted passionately by Musical Director Ian Townsend, the orchestration is tremendous, it provides power and poignancy setting the magical tone for the show."
SINCERELY AMY, March 2016
"The splendid 12-piece orchestra under Ian Townsend...big, full sound...magical."
BEHIND THE ARRAS, BIRMINGHAM, April 2016
"The orchestra led by Ian Townsend, deliver the score beautifully, even the most tin-eared of us will be singing away on the way out."
ALL EDINBURGH THEATRE, April 2016
"The production is aurally pleasing throughout, and the band (under the direction of Ian Townsend) give an impeccable performance of the exciting new orchestrations."
THATMUSICALTHEATRENERD REVIEW, August 2016
REVIEWS FOR 'BARNUM'
"The band, led by musical director Ian Townsend play Cy Coleman's score perfectly....the emotionally charged numbers are also beautifully rendered."
THE PUBLIC REVIEWS, CARDIFF, August 2015
"No circus is complete without a band and here is no exception. Under the expert leadership of Ian Townsend they are faultless throughout."
NORTH WEST END, MANCHESTER, August 2015
"The outstanding orchestra under the direction of Ian Townsend execute every number to perfection."
NATIVE MONSTER, July 2015
"Ian Townsend's musical direction is celebratory, he conducts with verve and a carnival-like energy...the brass is punchy and powerful, complete with underscoring which is whimsically playful. 'Join The Circus' is particularly explosive."
ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS, April 2015
"Ian Townsend and his 11-piece orchestra play the show brilliantly, piping out William David Brohn's orchestrations with vigour and skill, a delight to hear."
THE PUBLIC REVIEWS November 2014
"The orchestra under the musical direction of Ian Townsend is superb."
MANCHESTER CONFIDENTIAL November 2014
"Musical Director Ian Townsend's perfectly formed on-stage band were spot on both acoustically and instrumentally."
BACKSTAGE PASS.BIZ October 2014
"Ian Townsend's superb 11-piece orchestra."
SARDINES MAGAZINE September 2014