Vera Lynn Captivates Her Audience

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 13

Vera Lynn Captivates Her Audience

The undednaHe magic quality of the English singer, Vera Lynn, has certainly not diminished over 'the years since World War Two. Fourteen yeans after being known as the “Forces Sweetheart,’’ Miss Lynn, judging by audience participation and applause in the Majestic Theatre last evening, is every bit as much a sweetheart as ever she was. After successive concerts featuring twist music, powerful electronics and lots of noise, last evening’s concert was sweet and subdued. Perhaps the fact that the bulk erf the packed audience were in the middle years had something to do with it Yet when it came to joining in the songs, the vetoes were young and lusty. Miss Lynn, immaculate and charming, took her appreciative audience on a musical journey down memory

lane with such proven favourites as “White Cliffs of Dover,” “Auf Wiedereen," and tbe tender “We'U Meet Again.” There was hardly a dry eye in the theatre during Miss Lynn’s singing of “Little Things Mean a Lot” Miss Lynn ended her act with “Now is the Hour,” several curtain colls and three magnificent bouquet of flowere.

The trumpeter, Eddie Calvert, thrilled many with his superb playing, even if at times he hit high notes that all but Shattered the lights. The eight or to numbers played by Mr Calvert have all at some time or other been on the various hit parades, and all were well applauded. The cheerfill, happy go tacky compere. Billy Raymond, from Scotland, was pleasant and talented, and quickly captivated the audience. His demonstration of the twist made one wonder why so many paid so much to see Chubby Checker recently. Red Moore, a member of the Kiwi show, was given a warm response on his return tour of New Zealand, and Red Mitchell and his quartet, which provided the musical backing for the whole show, were easy to listen to. Mr Mitchell’s piano playing was particularly fine.