Liza (on an E)

Backed by a sturdy band and an excellent MD, Trevor Ashley propels himself onto the stage and as he does so he becomes the embodiment of Ms Minelli. A shuffling, stuttering and giggling wreck of a star who, despite the speech impediment and more expensive ‘baggage’ than the Orient Express, can still pull it off. So can Ashley as he regales his audience with bitter and twisted anecdotes, life with momma, serial marriages to gay men (both her and momma) and her checkered career, film and recording. He nails the hits, the voice stunning, and the spoof numbers are well crafted and sharp. Bodily he does it too, the Bob Fosse twitching evident throughout. With moments of tragedy he uses bathos to bring the audience down, then jolts us back to reality with wicked asides about drugs and booze and failed marriages. A stunningly wicked evening of songs and stories executed by a consummate pro who could stand in for the real Liza when she has a bad day.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 30 September 2013
Rating:
Andrew Kay