CELEBRATING the life and career of the legendary singer, actress and vaudevillian Judy Garland, this show looks to recreate the songs and dances of the performer with her daughter, Lorna Luft, at the helm.
Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm, became a star and won numerous accolades.The cinematic opening introduces the cast, including Ray Quinn and Louise Dearman, and the show then focuses on tunes from Garland’s film career, including songs from Me And My Gal, Meet Me In St Louis and Easter Parade.
While the vocal performances are strong throughout, especially from Luft, the reliance on recorded music, in video of Garland’s own performances, at times suggests style over substance. However, the slick choreography and the clear enthusiasm of the performers is still very entertaining.
The biggest highlight is seeing Luft and fellow singer Dearman perform the famous duet between Garland and the then little-known Barbra Streisand, singing a flowing medley of songs such as Get Happy, Happy Days and Hooray For Love.
The show ends on a sombre tone, with all the performers appearing on stage together to stand before a screening of Garland’s performance of Over The Rainbow: a reminder that, above all, this is a tribute to one woman’s singular talent.
Judy – The Songbook Of Judy Garland, Grand Opera House, York, today at 2.30pm, 7.30pm. Box office: 0844 871 3024
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