Loose Woman dazzles Shrewsbury
[caption id="attachment_89597" align="alignright" width="475" caption="Jane McDonald dazzled on her return to Shropshire"][/caption] Loose Woman Jane McDonald dazzled on her return visit to Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn.
Jane McDonald,
Theatre Severn,
Shrewsbury
By Derek Ruddock
She was, quite simply, sensational. Forget the "cruise ship" and "loose women" connections, on Saturday at Theatre Severn, Jane McDonald was an artist at the peak of her powers. She entertained and sang to the highest standard, thoroughly deserving the audience's fervent acclaim. It was arguably the best individual performance of showtime music at the theatre since its opening.
Her adoring audience - myself now included - were treated to more than two hours of songs ranging from modern standards to northern soul and Tamla Motown and culminating in a classic aria. The seven-piece band, complete with vocal backing singers, were also supremely accomplished.
McDonald is a homely girl from Rochdale who had until recently led a life tinged with sorrow. However, she's embraced the positive aspects of it and she told stories with great humour and pathos about her past. McDonald possesses a wicked sense of humour and could easily earn a living as a stand up comedienne.
Highlights were too many to mention but perhaps Walk On By, Even Now, You Don't Know Me and Help Me Make It Through The Night were among them.
Saturday's performance was Jane's second sell out visit to Theatre Severn – let's hope she makes it third time lucky next year.
