It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing — and these boys have plenty.
A packed-out Theatre Royal was last night taken back through the years to a time when singers wore suits and bands were big.
The Kings — aka Tony Benedict, Mark Porter and Liam O’Brien — worked effortlessly through a two-hour plus show of swing classics made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin.
They were supported by a tight eight-piece orchestra who more than supported but actually made the show.
In fact, the best audience reaction to a song all night was to trumpeter Benny Lee jumping in to sing.
There were some technical hitches — a faulty microphone, missed lighting cues and minor feedback — that spoilt an otherwise flawless show.
Benedict was by far the strongest performer; singing, dancing and swinging throughout the show –even his many costume changes into ever sharper suits were entertaining.
He partnered well with Porter, whose sensitive rendition of Mr Bojangles was my highlight of the show.
O’Brien felt a little more on edge in the first half, but eased in after the interval with a particularly impressive Kermit impression during a tongue in cheek version of My Way.
This was a lively, spectacular show and one that paid a perfectly pitched homage to some of the music industry’s most talented performers, and one I certainly got a kick out of.
