Dorothy Fields Forever
A tribute to lyricist Dorothy Fields. I must confess I was surprised - I knew quite a few songs, though I didn't know who wrote them, of course. The cast were
taking us on a musical journey through Dorothy's life and career. Story-telling and great songs and singers, with the odd dancing number thrown in.
Just brilliant! Five people on stage in the small backroom of a pub, accompanied by a cellist and a pianist. The music was wonderful, unobtrusively backing
up the stunning vocals. The lighting was simple, a mostly bluish wash for sombre moods and warm yellow-gold to pick out individual performers as they
sang or highlight the whole company. I'm sorry to say that funding for the Theatre has been cut - I hope they can make it - the King's Head has such a
wonderfully unique and private atmosphere!
Robert Meadmore has a lovely voice, mellow and pleasant - he sang one piece a cappella ('Mood For Love'), with only the company as background vocals -
what a treat! He also showed superb comic skill in 'Welcome to Holiday Inn', playing the "always ready & willing receptionist" - hilarious!
Kathryn Akin struck me as a strong actress, with a great voice, powerful and sassy. She rocked stylishly, great mimics too, especially apparent in 'A Lady
Needs A Change'.
Angela Richards was Dorothy Fields herself; her face didn't seem as expressive as her colleagues', yet she exhibited energy and a good voice. My favourite
song was 'He Had Refinement', because she mimicked a squeaky voice and some undefined, but awfully funny, accent. Made me think of cowboys, ranches and Dolly
Parton ;D. I enjoyed the distinctly American accent she adopted whenever speaking, wonderfully done.
And now the reason for my actually going to see this show: Rebecca Lock & Stori James. I remembered them from CATS and was, of course, curious to see them perform
again. I wasn't disappointed - they were marvellous. And, what is more, the whole evening turned out to be grand - a perfect blend of singing and dancing that I adored.
Stori James was the resident dancer, it seemed. He showed off his skills admirably - especially if you consider how small the stage was - pirouettes, jumps, tap dancing, all full
of energy and smiles. 'Erbie Fitch's Twitch' (which I can hardly write without stumbling across the words ;D) - wow. Now he did a brilliant job on this one!
Though the song's fairly fast, no slip of the tongue and a clear pronounciation so you understood every word. And while he was singing - wearing a bowler hat - he twirled a
stick, which he jumped over as he held it knee-height in front of him; very impressive.
For 'Bojangles of Harlem', he treated us to a superb tap routine, the three ladies
singing in perfect 1930s style. Mr James was beaming every time he danced, and he looked in our direction near the end of the show. Feli says she's pretty sure he remembered us
from the CATS stage door. I also love his voice, so hearing him sing was a very special treat; when he joined Robert Meadmore for 'More People Like You', I was mesmerized.
Rebecca Lock was stunning as always, her gestures and mimic understated, yet intense. She showed her trademark cheeky grin as well, though not very often. Her numbers were
more emotional and soft, needing her skills in modulating her voice to create an atmosphere. 'I won't dance' turned out to be one of my favourite numbers though - a duet with Stori
James, both of them dancing.
Ms Lock had two songs on her own - 'Pink Taffeta' and 'I'm Way Ahead'. Though I'm not usually prone to falling into such a slow song, 'Pink Taffeta' was an exception. The sweet,
innocent little girl with her great wish to have just *that* dress couldn't have appeared more vividly in front of my eyes. In fact, the words spoke to me so much that I not only felt
for the singer, but was actually pretty close to tears. And that really doesn't happen often ;D.
'I'm Way Ahead' is a beautiful ballad too, done justice of course by the superb performer. Her face is so expressive and her body language compelling in its simple intensity.
She was one of the best story tellers of the group too and her duet with Robert Meadmore - 'Close as Pages' - sent shivers down my spine. Talk
about a love song!
I was lucky getting to see this show - it is magical! If you can, then go and see it. It's worth it. A total must-see! ;D
front row (l.t.r): Kathryn Akin, Angela Richards, Robert Meadmore;
back row (l.t.r): Rebecca Lock, Stori James
Photograph of one of the pictures in the Pub's windows
The King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, London N1, Box Office: 020 7226 1916
Musical Numbers ACT I
I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Company)
On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Company)
Blue Again (Robert Meadmore)
I'm In The Mood For Love (Robert Meadmore)
I Won't Dance/Never Gonna Dance (Stori James, Rebecca Lock)
Bojangles of Harlem (Kathryn Akin, Rebecca Lock, Angela Richards)
A Fine Romance (Kathryn Akin, Robert Meadmore)
Remind Me (Angela Richards)
The Way You Look Tonight (Robert Meadmore)
A Lady Needs A Change (Kathryn Akin)
Pink Taffeta Sample Size 10 (Rebecca Lock)
Close As Pages In A Book (Rebecca Lock, Robert Meadmore)
Make The Man Love Me (Kathryn Akin, Rebecca Lock)
He Had Refinement (Angela Richards)
Lottie Gibson Specialty (Kathryn Akin)
The Uncle Sam Rag (Robert Meadmore, Angela Richards, Company)
'Erbie Fitch's Twitch (Stori James)
Where Am I Going? (Angela Richards)
Musical Numbers ACT II
There's Gotta Be Something Better/My Personal Property/It's A
Nice Face/I'm A Brass Band (Company)
The Rhythm Of Life (Stori James, Company)
If My Friends Could See Me Now (Angela Richards, Company)
Soliloquy (Kathryn Akin)
Welcome To Holiday Inn (Robert Meadmore)
I'm Way Ahead (Rebecca Lock)
Nobody Does It Like Me (Kathryn Akin, Rebecca Lock, Angela Richards)
I Must Have That Man/Don't Blame Me (Kathryn Akin, Angela Richards)
I Can't Give You Anything But Love/On The
Sunny Side Of The Street reprise (Stori James, Rebecca Lock)
More People Like You (Stori James, Robert Meadmore)
It's Not Where You Start (Angela Richards, Company)
Finale Medley (Company):
I Feel A Song Coming On/Exactly Like You/You Couldn't Be Cuter/Big
Spender/Lovely To Look At/I Love To Cry At Weddings/Pick Yourself
Up/It's
Not Where You Start/The Rhythm Of Life
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to me at
ferngully_at@yahoo.com.