R e v i e w s
"excellently performed under Dean Austin's baton"
Sarah Crompton, What's On Stage on Death Takes A Holiday
"Dean Austin’s sparkling 10-piece band"
Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard on Death Takes A Holiday
"the wonderful emotional turmoil whipped up by Dean Austin and his 10-piece band are a marvel"
Paul Taylor, The Independent on Death Takes A Holiday
"Bravos to Dean Austin for sublime musical direction of a generous eight-piece band."
Mark Shenton, The Stage on Allegro
The music is given full value by Dean Austin's superb band and singing every bit as good as you would get over the river in the West End for twice the price."
Gary Naylor, Broadway World on Allegro
"Orchestrator Mark Cumberland, MD Dean Austin, and a great 8-piece do sterling work."
Jarlath O’Connell, The American on Allegro
"Musical direction from Dean Austin, this production is musically vibrant and succeeds in conveying Hammerstein’s vision of a musical about a man who has lost sight of his goal, a man suffocating in the American Dream."
Stephen Collins, Live theatre uk on Allegro
“the musical director, Dean Austin, leads from the keyboard with decisive verve”.
Michael Billington, The Guardian on Dessa Rose
“Dean Austin provides first rate musical direction and the small, unusually constituted band (keyboard, violin/mandolin, woodwind and cello), spread out across the extremes of the auditorium, provides excellent accompaniment. The cast helps with the percussion section, in an ad hoc way as the score requires it. So the whole effect of the music makes you think of campfires, group excursions and collaboration. The sense of common purpose is emphasied by the placement of the musicians. It’s a clever touch that pays dividends’.
Stephen Collins, British Theatre Review on Dessa Rose
“The passion and often graphic violence are handled with economy and flair, and thanks to musical director Dean Austin the evocative score triumphs…”
Paul Vale, The Stage on Dessa Rose
“The true star of the evening however is musical director Dean Austin, who leads an exceptional onstage band through Brel's music with sensitivity, precision and passion. There are moments where you want to tone down the
belting and just listen to the accompaniment, soaking up the well controlled atmosphere that gives the whole piece life and heart”.
Dom O’Hanlon, British Theatre Review on Jacques Brel
“The two grand pianos at the front of the stage manage to bring out that gorgeous score with its melodious songs and its great satire via the accomplished playing from Dean Austin and Noam Galperin”.
Blanche Marvin, London Theatre Reviews on The Mikado
Gilbert and Sullivan's much-loved score is performed brilliantly on two baby grand pianos by Dean Austin and Noam Galperin.”
West End Extra on The Mikado
“A word should also go to Associate MD, Dean Austin, who has no mean task as second pianist”.
Sandra Giorgetti, British Theatre Guide on Side by Side by Sondheim