And it was brilliant … Don’t miss this …

• The final show is this Saturday, 9 August, at the Princess Theatre in Launceston. Matinee at 2.00pm. Evening show at 8.00pm.

The sun was shining last Saturday after days of drenching rain – there were cats, dogs and even a giraffe thrashing around in puddles in the yard. But we forsook the warming rays and took ourselves indoors – despite the burgeoning cabin fever – to the Theatre Royal.

A matinee performance of the Fabulous Croon Live was calling us. And it was brilliant – two hours of foot tapping, singalong musical delight, delivered with consummate skill and good humour by the lovely and talented John X and his compatriots, Andrew Colrain and Colin Dean.

The theatre oozed with the smooth melodies of around 30 big band classics, and the crooners were backed sublimely by the Matthew Ives Big Band. Four lovely young ladies, in a dazzling array of dancers’ gear, added regular bursts of colour and movement to the stage. There were costume changes aplenty for the singing gents, including a stint in airline stewardess drag for the Sinatra classic, Come Fly With Me. It was fabulous – clean, assured harmonising from the trio and a big, ballsy back-up from the band.

Special guests Naomi Sarich and Di Richards brought some girly balance to the performance with Ms Sarich delivering an appropriately emotional rendition of Maybe This Time and the equally talented Ms Richards treating us to a red hot, classy take on Fever.

And there was tap dancing too. Colin Dean’s solo performance of Mr Bojangles was cleverly accompanied by dancer Adam Jose on the tapping spats. ‘Mr Bojangles, dance’, said the song, and he did.

Did I mention that the crooners mix it up vocally as well? This show is not a procession of tunes delivered by a static three-man line-up – there are solos and mixed duets tossed in amongst the three part classics, and a pleasing line in comedic patter. And a true blue Tassie version of (I did it) My Way.

The audience loved it – us included. Especially the teenage Miles Davis fan we took with us. If you hanker for a big band fix, administered with oodles of style, don’t miss the Fabulous Croon Live at Launceston’s Princess Theatre on Saturday 9 August. And, remember, when they call for an audience request, it’s Tom Jones – It’s Not Unusual. They already have the wigs.

PS After the show we adjourned to the newly re-opened Hope and Anchor for an early dinner. First impressions weren’t too flash. They couldn’t find our booking, our order was misplaced and we waited over an hour for food. Many apologies and a free round of drinks were offered but we were in early and expected a quick turnaround. They were busy with a function, and seemed a little bit at sea – let’s hope they don’t find themselves floundering without an anchor again!
Bronwyn Williams