THE MILL ON SONNING 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fabulous evening at this GORGEOUS venue in Sonning! Always a huge pleasure to come to this beautiful setting, to relax and enjoy a fabulous meal before what is usually a wonderful show.
And what a Stunning show we were treated to with DAZZLING DIVAS:
Issy Van Randwyck has written and produced a superb, classy cabaret show. Compelling, vocally superb ‘portraits’ with clearly well researched narrative interludes commemorating the lives of seven ‘DAZZLING DIVAS’ of the 20th century:
•Billie Holliday •Marilyn Monroe .•Patsy Cline •Janis Joplin •Karen Carpenter •Mama Cass and •Dusty Springfield
“Seven trailblazing women whose lives lit up the world and whose influences continue to this day. Relive their music and stories, each one as extraordinary as the next in one magical evening.”
SO much attention to detail, with nuanced and seamless smooth flow ~ she held the audience in the palm of her hand throughout.
World Famous Divas also have their supposed private lives laid bare and it was interesting to follow the time line of each life as their songs were woven into the narrative, with some new facts and anecdotes along the way.
Most of the song choices are well known, but are heard with new intensity as they evolve from the narrative detailing their emotional and often difficult and intense lives.
Issy van Randwych ensures not a single word is unheard or lost in a superb ‘Tour de Force’ performance.
There is also something very poignant in being reminded how young most of them were when they died, though packing more into their relatively short lives than most people who live twice as long. Certainly reminds us all once again that every day is mighty precious.
My only slight reservation is starting the show with Billie Holiday. Chronologically this makes sense but a less dramatic life at the outset of the evening could possibly draw the audience in more easily…
(Doris Day might be a great Diva addition to her set, though she’s not as tragic as the others!)
Brilliantly re-purposing the gorgeous ‘GYPSY’ set which finished here at Sonning last weekend, Annie Gosney has stylishly and marvellously re-purposed the set using coloured bottles and beautiful, striking outfits and accessories, all enhanced by gorgeous lighting by Mike Robertson and fabulous sound from Simon Slater (which gloriously changes as the different eras evelove) to perfectly showcase each unique ‘Dazzling Diva’ ❤️💫❤️
Her superb band, truly enhances and supports every second of this performance.
Musical Director Corrine Buckeridge is impressive on Grand Piano and electronic keys, occasionally playing both at the same time with one hand behind…. Oz Dechaine on Bass, Gerry Berkeley on Drums and Edward Hall on Guitar (who also directed the show) are all EXCEPTIONAL musicians who are a complete joy to watch and listen to 🎶
It was Absolutely FABULOUS!
I’d love to see this again!!
But it’s a short run only on until Saturday 29th June so you’ll have to be quick!!
Production pics of impressive Issy von Randwyck in DAZZLING DIVAS at the MILL ON SONNING are by Andreas Lambis
Photos are of her channeling
Janis Joplin (sunglasses) Billie Holiday (white suit) Mama Cass (orange outfit)
And here’s the song list! 🎶🎹🎶
Riches upon riches!
•BILLIE HOLLIDAY Nobodies Business
Strange Fruit
You Go to My Head
All of Me
•MARILYN MONROE Little Rock
Heart Belongs to Daddy
Running Wild
River of No Return
•PATSY CLINE Walking after Midnight
Crazy
Strange
Fall to Pieces
•JANIS JOPLIN Mercedes Benz
What good can drinking do
Bobby McGee
Piece of My Heart
•MAMA CASS Getting Better
California Dreaming
Make your own kind of music
Dream a little dream
•KAREN CARPENTER Close to You
We’ve only just begun
Need to be in love
Goodbye to Love
•DUSTY SPRINGFIELD I just don’t know what to do with myself
Count to 10
Going Back
•ENCORE You don’t have to love me
I LOVED the seamless flow between each Dazzling Diva ~ It’s very telling Issy van Randwych doesn’t need applause to generate energy or focus.
She carries us along with her effortlessly!
The whole evening is SO classy and artistically impressive!
5 Fantastic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me 🎶
Tickets from https://millatsonning.com/shows/dazzling-divas/
Reviewed by Catherine Françoise
20th July 2023
Issy van Randwyck is a triple Olivier Award nominee most recently seen in ‘The Boyfriend’ at the Menier Chocolate Factory, ‘Hay Fever’ at the Mill at Sonning and in the film ‘Blithe Spirit’ with Dame Judi Dench.
She was a member of the satirical cabaret group Fascinating Aida. Her many recordings include ‘The Glory of Gershwin’ with Larry Adler produced by George Martin.
Mozart to Musicals 