Review: Louise Dearman & Tim Howar star in Bond & Beyond (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Bond and Beyond (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Friday 21st November 2014

★★★★★

As the title suggests, Bond and Beyond celebrates the biggest and best Bond songs as well as a few other irresistible classics. 

With musical director Clive Dunstall on hand to give background info and trivia surrounding each song, The London concert orchestra sounded absolutely divine as they filled the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with the most incredible music. Everyone on stage seemed to be having a great time which really rubbed off on to the packed audience who seemed to hugely enjoy the evening. 

Guest singers Louise Dearman and Tim Howar belted out classic after classic without fault. Having recently starred in the West End production of Rock of Ages, Howar delivered sublime vocal after sublime vocal. Highlights included 'From Russia with Love', 'Thunderball' and 'You Know My Name'. I had no idea how versatile his talents are! Howar's voice can sound smooth and classical as well as loud and rocky - his personality also shines through.

I've reviewed Dearman in countless shows and concerts . She is always a dream but last night she somehow managed to raise her own bar even higher. She dazzled the audience during the first half with a sensational rendition of 'Goldfinger' before fearlessly taking to the stage with sass in act two. The absolute stand out performance of the evening was Dearman's rendition of 'Nobody Does It Better'. It's as if Marvin Hamlisch wrote the number for Dearman's voice; it was complete and utter perfection - the song fits Dearman's voice like a glove.

She later blew the roof off the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with powerful renditions of 'Tomorrow Never Dies', 'Another Way To Die' and 'Skyfall'. I sat with my mouth open as she sang stand out song after stand out song. I don't know if I've ever witnessed such a strong vocal performance. Dearman concluded the evening with an empowering rendition of 'Diamonds are Forever'. She meant business and it would be criminal for her not to record the next Bond song. Louise Dearman is one of the most gifted vocalists working in the UK.

Bond and Beyond is an incredible show. It is both interesting and hugely entertaining. Let's hope it returns in the near future!

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

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