A NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA
Nottingham Arts Theatre

This may not be a theatrical production but it was a production with lots of theatricality as well as nostalgia. Lily Taylor-Ward, Julie Keightley and Johnny Victory presented a very entertaining evening of music from the theatre, movies and the War years. Some of the cast from the People's Theatre production of "Oh What A Lovely War" also performed a medley from the musical that will be performed at the Arts Theatre from Tuesday 1 July to Saturday 5 July.

The show opened with a selection of songs from, the musicals sung by Lily Taylor-Ward. If you've never heard Lily sing, well, you're missing a real talent. A voice that will set the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, and what musicality she has as well; just hear her emote while singing "As Long As He Needs Me" from "Oliver". Lily also gets to show off her wonderful soprano voice in the duet "The Prayer" with Julie Keightley.

Julie is one of those classy singers who really knows how to hold an audience in the palm of her hand when she sings and is at ease when chatting to the audience in between her songs. She was advised by the late Notts County boss, Jimmy Sirrell to have a go at some Shirley Bassey songs and on the night Julie performed one of Bassey's most powerful, "La Vita (This Is My Life)".

Johnny Victory is another class act with his Fred Astaire attire, complete with top hat, white tie and tails, giving us songs made famous by Liza Minnelli, Fred Astaire, Al Jolson and.... Morecambe and Wise!!

In the second part we were treated to songs from the war period by all three artists, including a medley of Vera Lynn songs, The Andrews Sisters, Gracie Fields and an excellent medley of War time classics from all three and the "Oh What A Lovely War" cast. The enthusiastic audience were on their feet with flags being waved for "Land Of Hope And Glory", "We;ll Meet Again" and "The National Anthem".

A very entertaining evening with bags of nostalgia, emotion and fun with the money raised going to the Royal British Legion.