REX REED - FAMOUS PEOPLE I HAVE KNOWN THE SONGS THEY SANG .. THE PHEASANTRY KINGS ROAD .. LONDON .. FEBRUARY 28TH 2020 ..

One of entertainment's most colourful and interesting characters Rex Reed made his UK cabaret debut in London at The Pheasantry on the Kings Road.. With a lifetime of stories, Rex could fill a whole show with just these alone as he has met and befriended a who's who of entertainment.. But he also sings a selection of songs by the many close friends who sadly are no longer with us. From

Doris Day who had a love of animals to the point her house was overrun by them, to lunching at a fancy restaurant and feeding the resident cat to the point it got sick on all the diners! This was a prelude for the song 'It's Magic' one of Doris's big hits.. Stories about Alice Faye, Mel Torme, Harry Belafonte, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich and a fun story about Ann Margret been so touched by a letter from a head teacher at a school in the midwest for her to present the students with exam medals. Ann persuaded

Rex with Raquel Welch in Myra Breckinridge

her husband Roger to take her and when they finally got there and no welcoming party and after waiting ages for someone to come, who turns up but Lana Turner, who also got a letter! She got no welcome either and she had been there three days!! Rex still knows how to captivate an audience and for almost two hours without an interval! As well as a renowned critic, he has appeared in many films including the camp classic 'Myra Breckinridge' with his good friend Mae West.. Rex also an author of eight books including a novel 'Personal Effects', he told me he is currently writing his autobiography which I am certain will be essential reading. Rex Reed has led many lifetimes and he is not finished yet!

With Rex after the show...

JUDY COLLINS IN CONCERT .. NATIONAL CONCERT HALL DUBLIN.. FEBRUARY 1ST 2020 ..

It's always a joy to be in the presence of a true legend of song in these days of much mediocrity as regards the music industry.. Judy

Judy overwhelmed by a standing ovation

Collins has been entertaining audiences for over 60 years and is still in fine voice as well as a consummate guitar and piano player. But its that distinctive voice that can still enthral an audience with classics such as 'Both Sides Now', 'Amazing Grace' & 'Send In The Clowns' her signature songs, or indeed just recalling the many stories from her most colourful life. Judy released her first album in 1961 'A Maid Of Constant Sorrow', but it was 1967 before she hit the heights with 'Both Sides Now' from her 'Wildflowers' album, the song topped the Billboard charts and won her a Grammy Award. Judy is currently promoting her latest album 'Winter Stories' which came out before Christmas on which she collaborated with Norwegian singer & guitarist Jonas Fjeld. A wonderful collection of winter themed songs, one of my

favourites on it, which Judy did perform was 'River' a song by Joni Mitchell.. The album is certainly worth checking out and if Judy is appearing live anywhere near, do not hesitate to be there, I certainly wont!

A Joy To See Judy Before The Show & My Signed Cd Covers

TRAD FEST TEMPLE BAR PRRSENTS BARBARA DICKSON & NICK HOLLAND .. PEPPER CANNISTER CHURCH .. JANUARY 25TH 2020

One of the highlights of the 2020 Temple Bar Trad Fest was a rare appearance in Dublin of Legendary songstress Barbara Dickson, who I have been listening to since I was a teenager and who I am glad to say is still in fine voice and charismatic as ever. The venue for this performance was the quaint Pepper Canister Church off  Stephens Green. Barbara was accompanied by her regular musical partner Nick Holland and as this was a acoustic performance, Nick provided all the wonderful keys and harmonies on the keyboard,

with Barbara on the guitar and piano. As this was for the festival the setlist was of course more traditional, but she did perform reworked versions of some of her big hits including 'Another Suitcase In Another Hall' from the hit
musical 'Evita'. Although Barbara was the first to record the song, she never actually appeared in the show, likewise she never appeared in

'Chess' even though she is forever associated with 'I Know Him So Well' one of her biggest hits, which was not included in tonight's show.. A show she has been in and actually originated the role is Mrs Johnstone  in Willy Russell's '' Blood Brothers '' and one of its iconic songs is 'Tell Me It's Not True', which Barbara performed to a delighted audience. Another of Barbara's most popular songs is 'Caravan's' from a 1979 film of the same name and it sounds just as fresh today and it is on of my favourites. Barbara is no stranger to the Folk and Trad scene as she started her career in folk music in the late 60's by attending the many folk festivals in the UK as well as here in Ireland, whilst appearing on the many tv & radio shows in Scotland. Barbara

released her first solo album in 1970 for Decca records, but it was not till 1976 when Barbara had her first hit with a pop recording 'Answer Me', which was also a bestselling album.  Barbara continues to release quality albums, with a new cd out late 2020 'Time Is Going Faster' and with many sell out concert dates to come, there is lots more to look forward to from the Timeless Barbara!

Always a joy to see Barbara - with Mark McMorrow

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS .. BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ... SATURDAY JANUARY 18TH 2020 ..

Lesley Joseph as Wicked Dragonella

My favourite. much looked forward start to the New Year is my visit to Birmingham to see the always sensational Panto at the iconic Birmingham Hippodrome now celebrating 120 years as one of Britain's top entertainment venues. One thing is for certain as regards to the panto, you are always guaranteed a spectacular evening ( or afternoon! ) of entertainment, even more so the last few years as The London Palladium production from the previous year, transfers to the Hippodrome. I always make an effort to attend The Palladium panto in December and it can be fun to compare the different casts of both shows.. The stars of this production included Lesley Joseph as Wicked Queen Dragonella, a role played by Dawn French in London.. Much as I like Dawn, I much preferred Lesley's tongue in cheek performance, she of course is seasoned veteran of the panto scene. One of the main draws of the Palladium is Julian Clary, who always wows audiences with his over the top costumes and racy innuendo and who was the Spirit of The Mirror. Golden voiced Joe McElderry

Joe McElderry as Spirit of the Mirror

takes the role of Spirit of The Mirror, but  without the comic moments and the fabulous costumes, in fact Joe is assigned only one silver creation throughout the show except for the finale walkdown.  But Joe has the wonderful voice to compensate and provides great entertainment value.. Other star names are 'Coronation Street' Faye Brookes as Snow White and 'Joseph & Technicolor Dreamcoat' star Jac Yarrow as Prince Harry. One change I didn't approve of was this politically correct plot switch of having the Prince bite the apple and Snow White giving the kiss of life.. It seems fairy tales

Andrew Ryan & Matt Slack

are not immune to the PC brigade! Comedy moments in the show as in previous years has fallen on the shoulders of Matt Slack who is a big hit with Birmingham audiences. Matt is one of those high octane performers that is totally unpredictable in the Brian Conley, Michael Barrymore vein and gives his all in the role of Muddles.. Playing the Wicked Queens Lady in Waiting is another local comic Doreen Tipton, whose comedy routine is based around her being the laziest woman in the Midlands and I must admit her dry

Fabulous Finale

humour does amuse me. Other mentions are the always hilarious Andrew Ryan as Dame and dance group Flawless as the Queens guards and of course a motley crew of seven dwarfs. As this is a Qdos production, a sensational set and lighting compliment the fabulous costumes. The FX Twins provide a fiery dragon, flying reindeer and a spooky transformation scene.. All in all a fairytale to remember!!

Always a joy to see Lesley...

ELAINE PAIGE .. AN EVENING WITH .. NATIONAL CONCERT HALL DUBLIN .. FEBRUARY 12TH 2015 ...

Originally scheduled as part of her UK tour last October, but after Elaine caught a virus from a backstage well wisher, the Irish leg of her 50th Anniversary Farewell was postponed. So it was a great thrill to finally see Elaine at the National Concert Hall for the second of her Dublin shows, she later went onto Limerick and Cork.. With a five piece orchestra , I suspect the show has been scaled down from it's original tour production.. Elaine was in sensational form with a set list of her signature hits, 'I Know Him So Well',  'As If We Never Said Goodbye', Don't Cry

For Me Argentina' & of course 'Memory'.. The set list was pared down from the original tour, with songs, 'All That Jazz', 'Summertime' & 'Luck Be A Lady' as well as two favourites from her hit show 'Piaf' , 'Je Ne Regrette Rien' & 'If You Loved Me'. On her last tour we were treated to a costume change to compliment each iconic song, however Elaine did not do any quick changes this time. As she

With Elaine after the show..

said herself it is hard to believe she has been in the business fifty years, one can certainly see why Elaine is the first lady of musical theatre.. Long may she continue to reign...

AN EVENING WITH CHLOE AGNEW .. THE MILL THEATRE DUNDRUM .. JANUARY 29TH 2015 ..

Had a great night at the intimate confines of The Mill Theatre in

Dundrum town centre for the debut solo show of the fabulous Chloe Agnew.. After spending ten years as part of the highly

With Chloe

popular ensemble of 'Celtic Women', Chloe decided to leave the group and make a go of a solo career. This show is her showcase in lieu of a concert tour later in the year and if this show is a taster of what's to come, audiences around the country are in for a musical treat. She admits to still trying to find her genre, but going by the selection of songs performed, Chloe is as versatile as she is glamorous. From Celine Dion's 'Miracle' as a tribute to her mum,



With Chloe & Adele

the equally glamorous and legendary Adele King or Twink to the masses, to Mariah Carey's 'Hero', Chloe is up there with the best of them. One of the guests on the show were Chloe's dad David Agnew, a celebrated musician, whose expertise is the oboe, and who accompanied Chloe on a couple of numbers, including the wonderful 'Nella Fantasie', a song which Sarah Brightman adapted from Ennio Morricone's theme from 'The Mission'. Former 'Celtic Thunder' star Emmet Cahill, who is also going the solo route was another of Chloe's special guests and they had fun on a few

With Adele

numbers.. All in all the show was a great success and the audience who included broadcasting legend Gay Byrne and wife Kathleen Watkins gave a standing ovation and much applause. I look forward to the next show and I highly recommend that you don't dare miss it!

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK .. THE BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME .. JANUARY 17TH 2015 .

One of the highlights of the Panto calendar is the spectacular productions mounted at The Birmingham Hippodrome which

With Duncan after the show

always attracts a stellar cast of stars and sell out audiences.. I have made it a mission to attend the Hippodrome show every year and glad to say this years production was another enjoyable showpiece of a show! Heading the bill this season is boyband Blue's frontman Duncan James who makes a dashing if not overly tattooed Jack and who certainly gives the teens plus the mums something to look at! Singer and tv presenter Jane McDonald plays The Enchantress in this her first foray into Pantoland and takes on the role with great

style and gets in on the fun and chaos.. Flying in on a silver half moon to spread her magic and to treat us all to her wonderful voice with a revised version of The Stylistics 'Betcha By Golly Wow' or 'Magic in the Air' for the purposes of the story.. She also sings 'This is the Moment' to herald the eruption of the beanstalk which emerges up from the bowels of the stage before the end of act 1.. The classic 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' get thrown into the mix to get the party started! Returning from last years

With Jane after the show..

production of 'Snow White' are the wonderful Gary Wilmot .. Gary reprises his ever popular Dame Trott role, while Matt Slack as Simple Simon, provides a high level of unpredictable slapstick humour, in the Brian Conley mode.. Paul Zerdin delights the

audiences with his sidekick the also unpredictable Sam.. All three certainly raise the laughter level with their madcap antics which never fails to have the audience in stitches.. Former 'Coronation Street' star Chris Gasgoyne takes on the villainous role of Fleshcreep, with suitable results to incite the boo factor.. Apart from the impressive Beanstalk erection, other notable effects

include a helicopter ride with Paul and Sam and a crowd pleasing 3d sequence.. All in all 'Jack and the Beanstalk' is another success for the Hippodrome and they now have to produce another sensational production for the next holiday season, which has been announced as 'Aladdin'.. Watch this space!

LORNA LUFT .. ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE .. THE CRAZY COGS .. PICADILLY LONDON .. DECEMBER 13TH 2014 ..

 This was my third visit to The Crazy Cogs to see the wonderful Lorna Luft, who has made the fabulous Picadilly art deco venue her London home.. As it's artistic director the equally wonderful Ruth Leon said, she had invited Lorna back this year, and the next and

With Lorna after the show..

the next! Lorna called this show 'Accentuate The Positive' as a tribute to Johnny Mercer a good friend to her family,, Lorna literally bursts into the venue through the audience with 'It's The Most Wonderful Time' as indeed it was. Continuing with a selection of Mercer tunes, then screening a clip of Judy Garland singing the song 'Lorna' which Mercer wrote for her.. I was with my friend Karen Cadle, who was actually there on the night the clip was filmed, as she had befriended Garland at that time. Other highlights were the medley

number ' Not Even Nominated' a selection of  now classic songs that were robbed of an Oscar nomination.. Lorna also mentioned a show she did which celebrated hit songs from flop shows called 'Panning for Gold' and then she sang songs from 'On A Clear Day You Can See Forever'.. Lorna rounded of the show with a selection of Christmas classics to celebrate the season.. As ever Lorna put on a sensational show and I look forward to another visit to The Crazy Cogs this holiday season to see her.. She will be touring with a new show celebrating the life and music of her legendary mother called .. 'The Judy Garland Story' throughout the summer .. I will be catching the show somewhere

in the UK, watch this space!

CINDERELLA .. NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE .. LONDON .. DECEMBER 12TH 2015

Every holiday season I try and catch at least a couple of panto's, my decision made as a result of star casting and Linda Gray been my point of interest for this production. Although a regular to the Birmingham Hippodrome for their spectacular offerings, this was my first panto at The New Wimbledon and I must say I quite enjoyed the experience. Maybe not with the budget of a Qdos, who produce the Hippodrome shows, this First Family production had

it's share of spectacle. In her debut panto role, Linda Gray looks sensational as The Fairy Godmother and seems at home in pantoland and she told me after, she really was enjoying herself and despite the hectic show schedule, she was loving every minute of it. Also appearing were the hilarious team of Matthew Kelly and son Matthew Rixon who camped it up as the ugly sisters.. I last saw

them in another production of 'Cinderella' at The Mayflower in Southampton a few years ago, when the equally fabulous Stefanie Powers was the star... One of the highlights of 'Cinderella' is always the transformation scene and it was beautifully done here to the fashionable sound of the theme from 'Frozen' with a nod to the transformation scene in the film and snow rains down on the audience to complete the effect..  A thoroughly enjoyable night was had by all, with a standing ovation for the energetic cast..

THE LADY BOYS OF BANGKOK .. RED HOT KISSES TOUR 2014 .. NOVEMBER 21ST 2014 .. THE OLYMPIA THEATRE DUBLIN..

I have caught the Lady Boys show many times over the years, the last time been in Manchester.. This was their first show in Dublin since 2001, where they cut short their Irish tour in the midst of the September 11th attacks.. This latest show continues the tradition of many costume changes and

lots of bawdy fun and tributes to many popular artists from Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner to Village People.. Audience participation are always part of the show and a couple of unlucky guys were pulled up on stage, thankfully I was in the circle! Always a fun night, the Lady Boys of Bankok continue to

delight audiences all over the place.. Catch them when you can!