Categories: News

Your Sunday Afternoon Zen: Esther Hannaford sings “I’ll Hold On” from Miracle City

Esther Hannaford. Image by Kurt Sneddon

The weekend is drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still some magic to be found. We’ve even cued up a slice of it for you right here, with one of our best singers bringing exceptional beauty and technique to one of our best composers.

Esther Hannaford in Miracle City. Image by Kurt Sneddon

The singer is Esther Hannaford. The composer is Max Lambert. The lyricist is Nick Enright. And the song is “I’ll Hold On” from Miracle City, the transcendent number that has lingered in musical theatre consciousness since the show was first performed at Sydney Theatre Company in 1996 – and which came back to us with startling grace during its production at the Hayes theatre in 2014.

The below video is from the final Light the Night concert last year. Hannaford performed the song with remarkable technique; she held the City Recital Hall in the palm of her hand as the audience sat silent and transfixed through the number – before erupting in wild applause.

There’s no one like Esther Hannaford, and there’s nothing like “I’ll Hold On.” Enjoy.

And why not check out the Nick Enright Songbook, while we’re here?

Cassie Tongue

Cassie is a theatre critic and arts writer in Sydney, and was the deputy editor of AussieTheatre. She has written for The Guardian, Time Out Sydney, Daily Review, and BroadwayWorld Australia. She is a voter for the Sydney Theatre Awards.