An American long resident in London, Lorna Dallas states that the Crazy Coqs is her “favourite room” in the capital, and she’s certainly been a repeat performer here.
Her 2024 show is Snapshots, a loose collation of numbers recalling pictures, memories and stories from a bright and varied career.
Opening with “Always Something There To Remind Me”, by Bacharach and David, she unleashes an easy style and light soprano voice, but this is only part of her range and charm.
Through a 75 minute set, we hear of a meeting with Patricia Routledge, who invited a newly arrived to London Lorna to tea, a missed opportunity to tour with Sergio Franchi, the start of her romance and 30 year marriage to Garry Brown.
Known for her interpretation of the songs of Ivor Novello and Jerome Kern, she dots their work through Snapshots. The songs are lilting, lyrical, and lovely.
Elsewhere, there is a fabulous version of the Harlem classic “Blues in the Night” and a lively “Flash Bang Wallop” from Half a Sixpence.
Less familiar musicals are given new life with numbers from Rodgers/Sondheim’s Do I Hear A Waltz and Shire/Maltby Jr’s Love Match (which seems ripe for a revival with its horny Queen Victoria).
Dallas is a performer who exudes joy, performing her repertoire with grace, humour, and poignancy. Her “Stranger in Paradise” from Kismet highlights the hard work of a jobbing singer who at one time was in the West End, cabaret, and recording at the same time.
A pause for reflection in La Cage Aux Folles (Jerry Herman)’s “Song of the Sand” captures as personal a moment as Kern/Hammerstein’s “The Last Time I Saw Paris”.
Director Barry Kleinbort’s “Stillness” from a new and unproduced musical Travels in Vermeer is offered as a premiere before Dallas closes with a song from The Stepping Stones (Kern/Caldwell) produced a century ago.
Accompanist and arranger Christopher Denny offers strong and focused support to Dallas – the long-time collaborators have an easy rapport and a clear shorthand and trust to make Snapshots slick and sensational.
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Lorna Dallas: Snapshots plays again at Crazy Coqs on 23 Jul with tickets here.
Image credit: Steve Ullathorne