KEITH MICHELL

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33155, 20 February 1973, Page 4

KEITH MICHELL

Keith Michell, voted actor of the year and television personality of the year in Britain, stars in his second special which screens from CHTV3 on February 26. The programme, which has a four- I season format, presents the varied talents of Michell as a singer, actor and painter. He is joined by contrasting singers Nina and Marian Montgomery, by actor; Richard Wattis and by his own two children. Helena and Paul who appear in the; Christmas segment. Two other well-known personalities make a surprise and very welcome visit to the proceedings. Apart from the guests, there are the Norman Maen Dancers, the Mike Sammes Singers and an orchestra conducted by' Peter Knight. After a short dissertation, by Scrooge on the merits of! Christmas the programme: opens with a medley of Christmas songs—“A Christ-: mas Carol,” “Christmas Children” and a contemporary version of the Christmas; story, all featuring Keith; Michell and his guests and, the dancers. It then looks at the story I of Easter with two songs' from the rock opera “Jesus i Christ Superstar” (“I Don’t; Know How to Love Him,” sung by Nina, and “I Only! Want to Say” featuring! Michell). Marian Montgomery sings! special jazz interpretations of | some of the Shakespeare son- ; nets. Christmas in the Aus-'

traiian outback has a lighthearted treatment with Michell and Richard Wattis as two explorers a hundred jor so years ago—it is also surprising who turns up looking for the sea! The star and Nina sing [together “Try to Remember” and the Norman Maen Dancers present a choreographic sequence on ideas from Hallowe’en. The seasonal cycle is completed with a return to the opening Christmas setting and the guests each performing more traditional carols if with somewhat unfamiliar lyrics! Keith Michell’s closing ballad is “If Ever I Would Leave you.”