The Singers & Swingers Club

The action took place in Dukes Place Jazz Club and I spent a very enjoyable time listening to so much excellent swing and blues music, both from the singers and the very accomplished band led by MD Russell Taylor.  The setting was just right wiith the band on stage, still leaving room for all the acts and the whole company - the cafe style seating at the front of the auditorium really worked.  The story was told by Sammy Jordan, the Club Manager (played by David Foster) who sang as well.  All the singers who were due to appear had been detained at the border but luckily enough, a solution was quickly found.  It just so happened that employees and visitors to the Club all had super voices and after each had an audition, they were asked to appear as soloists in the cabaret much to their delight.  The characters who were given this opportunity ranged from Ella Butterfield, the Club's cleaner (Sharona Turnbull) to Sally Brown of the Salvation Army (Caley Foster).  Their were lots of other excellent voices and everything and everybody looked as one would expect in this American establishment - great costumes thanks to Cath Brooks and a really excellent backdrop from Helena Olsen.  Sound and lighting were ideal and the programme was very interesting and informative.  Many thanks to Tony Still,

Director and talented Drummer in the band and Director Sue James (also playing one of the parts) and all involved in this innovative production.  As Duke Ellington said, "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing"!

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