Boogie on Jan
Garth Wilshere
Jan Preston’s Life and Music of Winifred Atwell, St James Theatre, reviewed by Garth Wilshere
ANOTHER of the innovative St James Cabaret shows was this delightful afternoon tea event. Perfectly pitched to the mostly elderly audience of predominately women, the chosen time also captured visitors in town for WOW, (The World of Wearable Art).
Pianist (and singer) Jan Preston is a charming entertainer, with as wide a smile as the great Winifred Atwell, whose life and music was celebrated in this show.
With afternoon tea fare available everyone had a great time and enjoyed fine music and some old-fashioned sing-alongs, something also synonymous with Atwell.
Her life had been extensively and carefully researched by Preston and her commentary, accompanying archival photographs and slides from her time in the UK, Australia (to where she and her husband emigrated and where she died in 1983) and from her tours to New Zealand added atmosphere and flavour.
Like Atwell, Preston was classically trained and her excellent musicality showed.
There was warmth, energy and style in the ragtime, boogie-woogie and all the pieces played. Black and White Rag, 5 Finger Boogie, Harry Lime Theme and a gorgeous Smile all added to the wide variety and mix in which Preston’s personality interspersed and integrated with Atwell making for a deserved standing ovation and memorably enjoyable show.
If you get a chance to go to this show don’t miss it.
ANOTHER of the innovative St James Cabaret shows was this delightful afternoon tea event. Perfectly pitched to the mostly elderly audience of predominately women, the chosen time also captured visitors in town for WOW, (The World of Wearable Art).
Pianist (and singer) Jan Preston is a charming entertainer, with as wide a smile as the great Winifred Atwell, whose life and music was celebrated in this show.
With afternoon tea fare available everyone had a great time and enjoyed fine music and some old-fashioned sing-alongs, something also synonymous with Atwell.
Her life had been extensively and carefully researched by Preston and her commentary, accompanying archival photographs and slides from her time in the UK, Australia (to where she and her husband emigrated and where she died in 1983) and from her tours to New Zealand added atmosphere and flavour.
Like Atwell, Preston was classically trained and her excellent musicality showed.
There was warmth, energy and style in the ragtime, boogie-woogie and all the pieces played. Black and White Rag, 5 Finger Boogie, Harry Lime Theme and a gorgeous Smile all added to the wide variety and mix in which Preston’s personality interspersed and integrated with Atwell making for a deserved standing ovation and memorably enjoyable show.
If you get a chance to go to this show don’t miss it.
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