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Vaudeville Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 15th May 2013
LIZA (on an E) provides a thoroughly excellent evening of inextinguishable happiness, great fun and fantastic music. Despite not being the biggest Liza Minelli fan I had a great time! Liza (on an E) is more than a parody of the star in concert. Trevor Ashley perfectly embodies an accentuated version of Minelli. Despite the deliberately exaggerated accent, complete with speech impediments and demonic laugh, and the physical awkwardness, Ashley remains true to Liza.
The show is comprised of recognisable Minelli songs, both real and adapted, which are interspersed with hilarious mix of ironic chat and true stories. He soon becomes Liza for the audience and with the actor's constant jibes at the character's expense, you cannot help but feel ever so slightly sorry for her. Nowhere is the sheer believability of performance more evident than the brief poignant moment amid the fun towards the end of the second act. The standing ovation that Ashley received was very well deserved and the significance of the applause for the performer was not lost under the mask of the self-indulgent Liza.
It was great, although not altogether necessary, to include the handsome and talented young performer, Chris Mitchell, in Act Two. Mitchell sings a sincere and very musical rendition of one of Peter Allen's songs as well as braving to take on Ashley/Minelli in a duet.
The evening would not be anywhere near as good without the stunning musical arrangements, which create a satisfyingly fat and fit sound from the 7 piece band, led by the dashing and stageworthy George Dyer. The vocals, too, from both Ashley and Mitchell, are solid throughout this two-act show and the vocal dexterity and strength of Ashley is clear to see.
If you want a to have a fun evening out and watch excellent performances with a backdrop of stunning jazz arrangements then this is the show for you. Not only does the show have massive gay appeal but I would say that any adult, Liza fan or not, can have an excellent evening's entertainment watching Liza (with an E).
Reviewed by Ted McMillan
LIZA (on an E) runs at the Vaudeville Theatre until Saturday 18th May 2013.
Click here to book tickets (top price seats reduced to £19.50)
Photo Credit: Darren Bell
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