Jane McDonald, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review
The powerhouse that is Jane McDonald brought some much needed old school glamour to Wolverhampton last night, as she completely filled the Grand Theatre on the opening night of her Making Memories 2017 tour.
There's nothing like stunning evening wear, jewellery and heels to light up a stage and boy, can Jane deliver on that score! Sequins, tulle and diamonds, that's all I need to say and you get the picture!
The crowd of dyed in the wool fans, plus some newcomers, raised the roof with rapturous applause as she opened the show with A Little Help From My Friends, before launching into exceptionally natural banter with her audience.
In a theatre which holds over a thousand people, Jane managed to create a unique, intimate atmosphere, providing laugh out loud moments as well as touching the heart.
Accompanied by her incredible six piece band and two fabulous backing singers and dancers, Sarah and Gina whose super slick choreography and great vocals enhanced almost every number, Jane was on a mission to entertain from the start and her easy chit chat and down to earth approach warm the cockles.
Not only an accomplished singer and comedienne, it seems Jane is an extremely talented song writer too. Together with co-writer and outstanding guitarist, Steve Cooper she has bared her sole in a host of brand new songs they have written together, including The Singer of Your Song, I See It In Your Eyes, Winner and a major highlight of the evening, I'll Be There.
There was tribute to Cilla, with whom Jane shared the number one hit You're My World, a superb James Bond medley, offering Jane the opportunity to display her exceptional vocal range and show the "warblers and shouters" of today's charts just how to deliver a showstopper!
In another tribute, this time to Earth, Wind and Fire, Jane and her girls took the stage by storm.
An emotional song written for her mum, The Hand That Leads Me, was another highlight, as was Memory from Cats, which completely and utterly brought the house down.
She's a chameleon, switching from musical theatre to the Dance Yourself Dizzy Disco finale in the wink of an eye, invoking a standing ovation for the third time during her stellar performance.
Sheer entertainment and pure professionalism from one of the country's best loved, super talented ladies.
