BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night Is Music Night: Puttin’ On The Ritz at Lighthouse Poole Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Georgina Bentley

It was a massive privilege to be present at the first Friday Night is Music Night of the season presented by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Michael England and joined by four amazing West End Stars. The evening was compered by the wonderful Al Ryan who gave us a brilliantly researched insight into the composers and their music to take us through this magical journey of the 20’s and 30’s.

The broadcast took place from the Concert Hall at the Lighthouse Arts and Entertainment in Poole, Dorset. This concert hall is fabulous for live orchestral music and the sound is great from wherever you sit in the hall.

The highly versatile conductor, Michael England has many orchestral credits to his name, including the London Philharmonic, Orchestra of Shanghai Opera House, National Symphony Orchestra and many many more.

The singers: Chumisa Dornford-May, Emma Williams, Ashley Day and Hadyn Oakley made up the quartet of stars and they all enhanced the evening’s music with their faultless singing, bringing style, elegance and rhythm to the musical numbers.

In this evening’s performance we were treated to tunes from George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, amongst others. They had us tapping and swaying along to the rhythms of these catchy musical medleys of yesteryear.

The first solo of the night was from Haydyn Oakley, who entertainingly sang Cole Porter’s ‘I get A Kick Out Of You’ from Anything Goes, a song which had its 90th birthday not so long ago but still seems every bit as fresh on the ears.

A few numbers in, Ashley Day gave us a very suave and cheeky rendition of ‘I Won’t Dance’, not a song I myself was familiar with but I was captivated by the interactions between the singer and the audience.

The BBC Concert Orchestra played the ‘Tahiti Trot (Tea For Two)’ which was a great piece to listen to where the tune gets passed around the sections of the orchestra seamlessly throughout.

Later on in the evening the ladies both gave us exquisite renditions of two beautiful songs; Emma Williams sang ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’ and Chumisa Dornford-May brought to us ‘My Funny Valentine’. These were highlights of the evening for me.

Before Irving Berlin’s song, ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’ from the musical On the Avenue, Al Ryan made us aware that there are only 96 shopping days until Christmas!

The two big finishers ‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’ and ‘Fascinatin’ Rhythm’ rounded up a fantastic evening of quality music and if ever a Friday Night is Music Night is being broadcast from a town near you then I urge you to not hesitate and book yourself a ticket.

This performance was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and is now available on BBC Sounds.

Rating: 5/5

This was a ‘one off’ concert for the Lighthouse but for more information on similar concerts please visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01202 280000

Lighthouse Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG