ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

experience. There were twenty six singers, and eleven in the band with the M.D on keyboard. The opening number had to be “All That Jazz” which set the tone for the evening. It was presented with soloist and company and included the dancers. Alexandra Brilliant has a great belt voice and captured the mood of the number. Also from the same show was “We Both Reached For the Gun” with Ben Drane giving a sophisticated rendition with Becky Woolstencroft skilfully reacting as the ventriloquist doll. There was one number after another; all presented to a very high standard with the ensemble needing a special mention for great harmonies. Then the intro to “Rose’s Turn” from “Gypsy”. Now this is not an easy soliloquy to put over in the show but Sue Milligan got hold of it by the scruff of its crochet and quavers neck and completely nailed it. This was just the first section, what was there to come? The lights dimmed for the second set with more great singing from Deborah O’Connor, Nick Butterworth, Mary Doyle and Eileen Wilson who all gave that something that added up to this evening of musical splendour. If there is one niggle: a little narration would have added to the link from stage to the audience. I have only given a random selection of the night’s proceedings: the whole company equally contributed to the success of this revue. This talented company should have had “House Full” for each performance for this trip to the best of Jazz and Swing Broadway shows.