Andrew Derbyshire Dazzles at The Landor Theatre’s ‘A Spotlight On…' West End Cabaret Season and Series 2012
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Review by Fiona Lister (Saturday 21st January, 2012)
Theatregoers and stars are buzzing with excitement over the Landor Theatre’s exceptional ‘A Spotlight On...’ Cabaret Season. Last night was blond bombshell Andrew Derbyshire’s turn in the spotlight. The downstairs bar was packed with admirers, fans, regular theatre lovers and those just looking for a good night’s entertainment. Amongst the hubbub of chatter and laughter, I spied Gok Wan rocking up to the bar together with other familiar faces from the world of show business.
“Tonight is going to be fantastic,” explained Andrew Keates, the dashing ‘A Spotlight On..’ Season Director and Pied Piper of London’s Cabaret scene, “I’ve just been listening to them rehearse upstairs and they sound fabulous,” he said. The Reserved area filled up quickly with a mixture of young and old music lovers and there was a nervous sense of expectation and excitement in the air. I spoke to a group of young people who were queuing to get their tickets. “We came to see him perform here at Christmas,” explained Ruby. “He’s absolutely amazing and so funny. He loves getting the audience involved.” Champagne corks popped; theatregoers were out to make a grand occasion of the evening’s show.
Many of us remember Andrew Derbyshire when he appeared as a contestant on ITV1's Pop Idol (shows began on 15 December 2001 and continued through to the live final on 9 February 2002). Andrew was competing with Will Young and proved a sterling competitor, managing to get through to the semi-final. Andrew went on to appear in the West End Production of We Will Rock You. He played the leading role of Galileo, after which he landed the spectacular role of Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the UK National Tour, 2003 and 2004 and appeared in the West End production at the New London Theatre, reprising the role of Joseph for six months in 2005. Andrew performs in concert engagements and completed the recording of his first studio album ‘Start Of The Road' in September 2006. ‘Start Of The Road’ was available to buy last night’s show. Please CLICK HERE to purchase through Amazon and do look at Andrew's website: http://www.andrewderbyshire.co.uk/.
The charming star from Padliham, Burnley recently landed a plum role in ‘Street of Dreams’, the new musical celebration of Britain’s top soap opera, ‘Coronation Street’ by award-winning musical writer, composer and lyricist, Trisha Ward. Andrew is playing the role of Sean, the knicker factory worker at Underworld (played on television by Antony Cotton), and he will be starring with Julie Goodyear MBE (Bet Lynch), William Roache MBE (Ken Barlow), Katy Cavanagh (Julie Carp), Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts), Brian Capron (renowned serial killer Richard Hillman) and the fabulous Paul O’Grady who is narrating. The show will début at the Manchester Arena, on Wednesday 21st March, with the world premiere taking place on Thursday 22nd March, and is being billed as a “Corrie Extravaganza” with a tremendously ambitious, breathtaking set and visual effects. BAFTA-winning film and stage director John Stephenson OBE (‘5 Children & ‘IT’ and ‘Animal Farm’) will direct the live musical tribute production, which has been co-scripted by Damon Rochefort (‘Coronation Street’ & ‘Birds of a Feather’). There will be a 25-piece orchestra and choreography by Stephen Mear. Incidentally, Stephen Mear won an Olivier Award with Matthew Bourne for his work on Mary Poppins. Tickets are priced from £25.00 - £60.00 and are on sale now: http://www.men-arena.com. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster. Link: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Coronation-Street-Street-of-Dreams-with-Paul-OGrady-tickets/artist/1672928.
By 19:15 hours everyone headed upstairs with their drinks, welcomed by the Landor’s Artistic Director, Robert McWhir. Once seated, I couldn’t help but notice the number of Andrew Derbyshire’s adoring female admirers. The girl sitting next to me had arrived all the way from Bedfordshire to see him perform. “I was at college with Andrew in Burnley!” she proudly exclaimed. Indeed, Andrew has a huge following from female fans, old friends from his BTEC course and those who had dressed up to the nines to see his show. I found it touching that so many of his friends and fans had driven miles to support him.
The Landor’s Theatre Director Andrew Keates, walked to the front of the stage and announced his guest. Everyone clapped and cheered. Andrew Derbyshire swept onto the stage and immediately burst into song. Women went wild and the men gawped. Everyone looked agog at the sheer power of his voice which nearly blew the roof off. The blond bombshell was accompanied on piano by composer and pianist, John Ranger. Andrew chose a selection of mostly female pop, soul and stage songs that John had skilfully taken down one key in order to accommodate Andrew’s powerful male voice. What struck me the most was the total mixture of songs Andrew had picked – from musicals like Joseph by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, to songs by Queen (taken from his role as Galileo in ‘We Will Rock You!’), Amy Winehouse (‘Rehab’), Witney Houston (‘One Moment In Time’) and ‘The Wizard and I’ from Wicked, to name a few. In fact, he belted out each song with so much vim and vigor that he needed to sip Port and water to oil his voice in between songs.
‘Dance With My Father Again’ (by Luthor Vandross) was the most memorable song of the evening. Andrew reiterated after the show that his father is very much alive and well. He just loves the magic of this song – and it certainly captivated everyone in the intimate candlelit studio. Members of the audience shed tears! ‘Lately’ was equally fantastic. I also loved hearing him sing ‘The Wizard and I’ from Wicked. There was particularly good lighting in this by Gavin Maze, the Landor’s skilled Technical Wizard. In fact Gavin has worked wonders on each Spotlight show, completely capturing the mood and essence of the performers.
In between the songs, Andrew addressed the audience, which everyone found charming. He spotted an old college friend and asked her to join him on stage, after which he said hello to the girls who had travelled from Burnley to see his show. Andrew is delightfully camp, direct and funny. He looks like Buck Rogers and his comic timing and mannerisms are akin to the brilliant Paul O’Grady. Everyone laughed when he tried desperately hard to get Gok Wan onto the stage to perform the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ song from Chicago (Gok sang this for ‘Children In Need’). Gok was having none of it and looked like a rabbit caught in headlights. Cue tap shoes and sequins!
The highlight of the evening was when Andrew’s first special guest, Nell Tiger Free, a talented twelve-year-old girl he mentors, took her turn in the spotlight. “She’s nervous, but has no need to be,” he said and with that she bounded up to the microphone. Everyone in the room fell silent. “Remember what I’ve taught you,” Andrew told her. The spotlight fell upon Nell and with incredible maturity and confidence, she sang ‘Maybe’ by Liza Minnelli. We were all dumbstruck by her voice and poise. She sang the song with the ability of a performer of twenty something years old. Nell Tiger Free is a sensational young child star to watch for. I have no doubt that we’ll be seeing a lot more of her on stage and screen in the near future. Lord Lloyd Webber and Sir Cameron Mackintosh – read this and take note!
Andrew’s second guest star was his best friend Jonathan D. Ellis who entertained us with charming anecdotes and a Sarah Vaughan song, ‘Moonlight In Vermont’, which was beautiful. He later duetted with Andrew on ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ (written by Carole King).
Actress and singer Julia Worsley was another of Andrew’s guests. She sang ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’, which sounded fabulous. If you would like to hear Julia sing, she can be heard on Rogues Heroes Angels and Fools; Coronation Street the Musical CD in the role of Florrie Lindley.
Andrew finished on a wonderful, soulful song called ‘I Am Changing’ from ‘Dreamgirls’. After the show Andrew paid tribute to The Landor’s producer and director, Andrew Keates, mentioning this extraordinary man’s championing of cabaret for young stars. He stressed the importance of these shows as ways of sharing talent and work, especially during the difficult economic times. It’s also a great way for new faces to test their abilities, as Nell Tiger Free demonstrated earlier that evening. Andrew paid tribute to his friend Carl Mullaney whose ‘A Spotlight On…’ show was scheduled this evening - another sell-out show and a huge success, I’ve just been told.
Andrew Derbyshire thanked everyone who had travelled to support him. He invited the audience to join him and his guests for drinks downstairs. What an absolutely brilliant night out! The Landor is certainly providing slick, delightful entertainment for just £16. Whatever you do, don’t miss the other Spotlight shows on offer next week:
Tuesday 24th January - Stevie Webb (BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - LIMITED AVAILABILITY)
Wednesday 25th January - David Alder (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)
Thursday 26th January - Beverley Klein
Saturday 28th January - Lucy May Barker (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)
Sunday 29th January - Clive Rowe
PLEASE NOTE PERFORMANCES MARKED AS 'STRICTLY LIMITED' CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHOING THE BOX OFFICE ON: 020 7737 7276
Tickets are priced at £16.00 (£14.00 Concessions) and can be obtained from The Landor Theatre Box Office on 020 7737 7276 or online at www.landortheatre.co.uk
The Landor Theatre: 70 Landor Road, Clapham North, London, SW9 9PH
