AUDIENCES can expect a few surprises when Billboard's seven-time world artist of the year, Celtic Woman, tours Australia in January.
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But rest assured, the much-loved Irish song Orinoco Flow will still get a run. (Thanks, Enya.)
The four-girl super group's newest recruit, Mairead Carlin, said the mix of traditional Irish tunes, original compositions, and reworkings of contemporary songs was a winning formula all around the world.
"Many people wouldn't associate Celtic Woman with musical theatre and Broadway, but in the European tour that we just finished, we did a Broadway tribute and the response was amazing," Carlin said.
The homage was particularly welcomed by Celtic Woman singer Susan McFadden - the sister of adopted Aussie Brian McFadden - who has starred in West End productions of Grease and Legally Blonde.
Carlin said the show was constantly evolving under the musical direction of David Downes, but the one constant was the commitment to taking their audiences on an emotional journey to destinations unknown.
"It's important to challenge an audience, in the sense that you've got to keep them engaged," Carlin said.
"You've got to give them highs, lows and middles, and that's exactly what Celtic Woman does."
Carlin said there are some really big production numbers in the Australian tour - especially since the group will be joined by 50 singers from the Australian Girls' Choir.
"And then Lisa Lamb sings Bridge Over Troubled Water - with just piano and vocal - and the power of that quiet moment is so nice," Carlin said.
"A director once told me that sometimes there is more to be heard in silence than in words, and I feel that when Lisa sings that song."
Carlin said being invited to join Celtic Woman was a dream come true.
She'd been a huge fan.
"I was probably one of the first people to sign up to their newsletter," she laughed.
"They are such a big inspiration for me."
In particular, Carlin had followed violinist Mairead Nesbitt from the beginning, and a picture of the Celtic Woman favourite hangs on the wall in the college where Carlin honed her craft - Trinity College of Music, in London.
The Celtic Woman tour of Australia comes to Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, January 15. Book at ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849.
