CONCERT REVIEW: With One Look - Waterside, Sale, Greater Manchester.

The annual Pride In Trafford Festival takes place each year, starting on IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia). It, as other local Prides do, shines a spotlight on the abuse and lack of acceptance still experienced by some members of the LGBTQ+ community. It also celebrates the openness and pride that other members of the community have and encourages those who are struggling to accept their own orientation to be proud and accept themselves freely, whilst socialising with their peers and allies.

Whilst some elements of the programme include vogueing and dance, as well as other more abstract methods of entertainment, I was personally delighted to see tonight's star on the bill, after much apparent success in the West End ("and beyond").

As a HUGE fan of musical theatre, I jumped at the chance to come and see Vivienne De Vil and I had high expectations (and I think she did too)... and I was not disappointed! Treated to a selection of showtunes, originally sung by leading ladies and women from musical theatre shows, rather than the 'celebration of [the genre's] most iconic women', it was a highly-anticipated night of class, cheeky humour and damn good talent, performed by an evidently-experienced act whose look is as polished as her act. That said, it may have been a while since her last tour as she wasn't 100% sure of the running order/set list, but that may have been due to it being adapted for this pride festival, in contrast to her usual haunts of sophistication such as London's The Crazy Coqs. Nonetheless, this intimate gig, in The Chambers of Sale's Waterside, was thoroughly enjoyable and hit all the right notes. As mentioned, if it was to be a celebration of the women who sang the songs featured in this show, then Gloria Gaynor would be iconized as equally as Judy Garland.

Starting the hour-long single-act, one-women show with 'Fabulous Baby' from the stage version of 'Sister Act', we were off to an upbeat start, supported by her accompanist and sole bandman James Bricken (who is truly brilliant) on an upright piano. Sporting her signature gold sequined gown, she made reference to the recent pandemic a few times but it was 'As If We'd Never Said Goodbye' to this seasoned performer - that was the next song in the set, from 'Sunset Boulevard'. Now, I'm not sure whether she's been up North recently (or at all) but she's certainly welcome back anytime...in fact that's a personal invitation and we'll be the first to attend wherever she is performing!

Next, came an ingeniously-adapted, self-penned rendition of '(It's A) Hard Knock Life' from 'Annie' before a pondered question, "are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" which led into a mash-up of 'You've Got To Be Carefully Taught' from 'South Pacific' and 'Children Will Listen' from 'Into The Woods'. De Vil received a call from Dame Julie Andrews (the first of three icons who have coincidentally been booked for the Queen's Jubilee pageant - as well as Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Diana Ross). Of course, after this we were encouraged to indulge in the first of various sing-a-long elements, contributing to earlier audience participation, for 'Favourite Things' and 'Do Re Me' both from 'The Sound Of Music' of which the caller has starred in the film.

A call from Elaine Paige was then taken and we witness the chillingly-beautiful 'Memory' from 'Cats' (one of many shows that De Vil has been forced to turn down roles in. Further details can be found in the show's programme, which I was pleasantly surprised to see available, alongside mugs and tote bags). These many name drops allowed us to enjoy anecdotes of alleged dealings with such stars (who knows). There were various opportunities to heckle but it didn't feel right in such a cosy venue, other than whilst (myself, the other two gentlemen at my table and a few others) singing along to these musical classics.

A dedication to her husband, who she discovered was gay, followed in the form of Judy Garland's 'Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart' before we were able to sit back and enjoy '(Somewhere) Over The Rainbow'. We were teased with a snippet of the show's title 'With One Look' before a tribute to her friend who was killed back in 2020 and all others who have been lost throughout the pandemic and otherwise, which came as 'The Place Where Lost Things Go' from 'Mary Poppins'. She spoke about bullying and sang 'I Will Survive' (which we, of course, joined in with) to instill strength and solidarity and we then had Diana Ross's, 'If We Hold On Together' - which was in the film 'The Land Before Time'. We finished with 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life' from 'Spamalot' (which broke the chain of female-led songs and shows) and the encore was, of course, 'I Am What I Am'.

Written and created by Gregory Hazel and produced/directed by Daniel Bell, 'With One Look' is a real spectacle of pazzazz and entertainment for fans of musical theatre, strong female leads, incredible drag and anyone wanting a great night out.

Reviewer - John Kristof
on - 19.5.22