Las Vegas Nights

Abbey Musical theatre’s theatre-restaurant setting is a great format to enjoy a show like its current Christmas revue, “Las Vegas Nights”, directed and choreographed by Ian Harman.

Turn up for a meal beforehand, or enjoy a coffee and the bar’s offerings during the show and sit down to be entertained without needing to engage the brain.  Mmmm … sounds more like an advert so far, but the evening is certainly an enjoyable experience.

A sequence of songs from the classis Las Vegas genre – if it can be called a genre – “Las Vegas Nights” frolics through numbers from the Copa Room at the Sands, and standards by the Rat Pack, Judy Garland and Bobby Darin.

The two lead vocalists, Erica Ward and Bradford Meurk, display the diversity required to perform the range of vocal styles, delivering talented performances with a commanding stage presence.  Kitten Carmichael as the principal dancer recreated the archetypal Vegas style with stylish routines that never disappointed.  The “roulette” of Conil Tod, Emma-Jade Mechen, Hayley tinning and Alexander van Brunt, provided excellent dance and vocal support throughout.

A director/choreographer who performs in his own show always takes a risk, but not this time – Harman’s occasional participation in the routines always lifts them to the next level.

I am not a dancer and would never presume to attempt knowledgeable comments about choreography, but the originality and precision of the routines stood out to even a two-left-footed observer like me.

At all times visually interesting, Harman’s style always impresses and this show is no exception.

Stage management and technical support was capable and timely, although the lighting could have been more glitzy in keeping with the Las Vegas style.

All in all, this was a most enjoyable night out.