What: An Andrews Sisters Tribute
Where: Norwood Concert Hall
Duration: 90 minutes
When: Saturday 22 Feb 2:00pm & 8:00pm or Sunday 23 Feb 1:00pm & 5:00pm
Genre: Music / Cabaret
(Reviewed by John Glennie)
I saw this show last year and was blown away with the performance and professionalism. I really thought this was a prize candidate for best act in their genre – unfortunately not enough Judges saw this performance to give the vote. Having seen this year’s show only an hour ago I wanted to write the review while fresh in my memory. Even if you think the Andrews Sisters are really old-school (which they are!), I strongly believe that anyone seeing this show will be totally enthralled with the story and performance.
Please book in for one of the remaining 4 shows which are on this Saturday and Sunday – you won’t be disapointed. I still believe this should be a leading candidate for best in genre for 2020. Three Little Sisters are three Adelaide professional singers (all singing teachers) who put together a brilliant show. The Norwood Concert Hall was a great venue for this with the main floor set up for those who wanted to book a table while the rest (peasants like me!) were upstairs in the gallery – so everyone had a great view.
The show worked through the history of the Andrews Sisters from the time they produced their first record in 1937, through a tense split when Pattie went solo, back to reuniting in 1954. A very clever and well thought out production with an MC who explained the history and acted as interviewer – he would ask a question and then a recording of the real Andrews Sisters would present their reply.
The three singers looked the part – dressing in the costumes relevant to the eras – and sounded exactly like the famous trio. Patty taking the lead, Maxene singing high harmony and Laverne the low. We heard all their classics including Cheek to Cheek, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Rum & Coca-Cola to name but a few. The sisters even went onto the main floor and sat at a table to sing, then wandered around the other tables to the delight of the audience.
There was a brief intermission, after which the MC proved to be a brilliant singer in his own right. After the second half opened with a brief introduction of how Bing Crosby performed with the Andrews Sisters, he took to the stage and sang Bing Crosby songs – one solo and a few with the Three Little Sisters (Tania Savelli, Shelley Pantic & Melanie Smith).
The singers were superbly backed by The Band Of the 10th/27th Battalion Royal South Australian Regiment. Their history dates back to the Light Horsemen and they have performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Mid way through the second half, after we learned of the departure of Patty to pursue a solo career, and heard the song performed by Maxene and Laverne lamenting the fact that they always gave Patty the lead role! A humorous song which, in its day, did nothing to ease the tension between the sisters! However, the sisters re-formed in 1954 and we were treated to some of their later Swing songs.
This was not just a show for oldies (like me!) but appealed to all ages. I am confident that anyone, young or old, will be enthralled by the Swing / Jazz / Big-Band music performed. So get in quick to get tickets for one of the final four performances this weekend.
No Comments