LORNA DALLAS “STAGES”
at the Crazy Coqs
Of course, with a title like ‘Stages’, Lorna’s show has to start with “There’s no Business Like Show Business” but this is no ordinary arrangement of the iconic number. Chris Denny and Dallas have created a melange of this song with “A Glamorous Night” and in her silver robe she certainly is one of the most glamorous creatures to appear at the Coqs.
Her director, Barry Kleinbort has added some more appropriate words to the final verse of the song and with her glorious voice and the added comedy, the show really comes to life.
I have to say one of my favourite numbers in this set is “Blues in the Night” She manages to elongate the Blues so that we never find out that they are in the night. Quite a startling arrangement to the Arlen/ Mercer song which, she says, was sung by her sister.
She tells short items from her life story between the numbers, adding some enjoyable comedy to her set – not just relying on her amazingly versatile vocal range and the power of her coloratura.
One of the stories was very amusing about Fanny May, the bohemian and seriously rich patron who had a room full of designer clothes and jewels saying to Laura “Take what you want” Lorna regretfully refused. She sang the song that reminded her of this lady “Never Give Anything Away” (if you can sell it) by Cole Porter and with additional lyrics by Kleinbort.
There is so much more new material in her performance last night and much specially written pieces They have obviously been very hard at work along with her Musical Director Chris Denny.
Her version of “Teach Me Tonight” is funny and very sexy.
She flattered her favourite city by “London Dear London” a Jerome Kern/Wodehouse composition which brought her back to the stories of her long stint in London as Magnolia in Show Boat, followed by Kismet which she performed “I’m a Stranger in Paradise” in three separate stages on the same days. On stage, her soprano version, followed by the Savoy night club where she sings a jazz rendition – and then she had to sing the same song in German – a voice over for a movie – which she did during the day. Particularly distressing as she had tickets for Wimbledon and didn’t get to see a single tennis match.Of course she had to give the audience what they came for. Her favourite Ivor Novello song ” My Dearest Dear” where she has the chance to air her most thrilling extraordinarily rich high notes. followed by “Hello Young Lovers” Her first standing ovation.
Her encore was extremely in keeping with the title of her show. Tony Newley/Herbert Kretzmer’s “If all the word’s a stage” for which she received her second standing ovation.
American actress singer Lorna Dallas-Brown is a welcome visitor to London and she always gives the audience a full and delightful show. But this time there was an extra dimension. More comedy and more unusual and quirky arrangements which allowed her to show her sense of fun.
We all look forward to the next one Lorna!
alinewaites 
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