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Sophie Tucker’s One Night Stand
By Chris Burgess
Directed by Susie McKenna
At New End Theatre, Hampstead
Set & prop design by Lotte Collett
Lighting design by Philip Gladwell
New End, London NW3
Call +44 (0) 870 033 2733 Tickets £13 - £18
Tues – Sat 7.30pm; Sun Mat 3.30pm
Running time 1 hours 30 mins with intermission
Through 14 January 2006
Thank you Miss Tucker, when can you start?
Sophie Tucker arrives in that well recorded place, limbo, for the last great audition of her career. The Great Employer in the Sky is of a mind to admit her to what she fears will be an after life of impossible sanctity, heaven. The old stager is sure she’ll find a more appropriate home in The Other Place.
For the next 90 minutes she recalls, through 23 songs and many anecdotes, the sometimes glittering and sometimes heartbreaking life and times of one of vaudeville and Broadway’s great performers.
Everything about Sophie Tucker was big, the body, the voice, the ambition, the chutzpah. Equipped with the vocal power and Big Mama glamour, Sue Kelvin takes over the role to the manner born. Her collaborator is super accompanist, musical arranger, and very droll wit, Russel Churney.
The great Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and George M Cohan songs are all there, the blues, the ballads, the comedy numbers, from the evergreen My Yiddishe Mama, to my favourite, Mr Siegel (make it legal). Director Susie McKenna’s sure hand was evident, guiding the performer in her navigation of the star’s extraordinary career. A gently pleasing stage design by Lotte Collet and attractive lighting by Philip Gladwell provided very professional support. Miss Kelvin’s Sophie Tucker brought sweet memories and perhaps a tear for some, and for others a smile.
As Sophie Tucker might say, “get ready for some quality entertainment down below!”
Highly Recommended
Saul Reichlin
London Correspondent
www.ChicagoCritic.com
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
Saturday 10 Dec 2005
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