The first in a duo of gigs , her second coming at the Adelphi Theatre in London, in which Musical theatre star Mazz sings from the Dusty songbook. An impossibly young looking fifty year old she has a formidable stage cv, most notably in Mama Mia, We Will Rock you and Chicago. She has previously featured the work of Patsy Cline.
This world premiere of the show sees her returning to the region, where she began her professional career aged 21 playing Dusty in ‘Only the Lonely’ at The Birmingham Hippodrome in 1996.
Her personal professional standing drew a large audience for an evening featuring a full orchestra backing, this was no heart hearted cheap cash in. Her arrival was presaged by an overture followed by a defiant rendition of “You Don’t Own me” looking fabulous in a luxurious pale blue evening gown she sang with no Dusty costuming, wig or make up. What followed was a consummate vocal performance which captivated an enthralled crowd.
Mazz comes from a distinguished musical family, the god daughter of Bob Monkhouse, her father Mitch is a distinguished hit song writer with some of his songs included in the pre show and interval incidental recorded music, Her mother , Grazina Frame, enjoyed a successful stage and screen career as actress and singer.
Prior to the interval we were treated to her first of several costume changes including Dusty period outfit and wig. Her three backing singers were worked hard not only in a supporting capacity but also to provide musical interludes for Mazz. Surprise special guest was Madeline Bell who worked with Dusty, the Rolling Stones, Elton John an numerous other contemporary notables. She was fabulous at 82, but curiously was not name checked as the lead singer as part of Blue Mink and their hit single “Melting Pot”.
We were treated to all of Dusty’s early hits, but curiously her latter work with the Pets Shop Boys, specifically “in Private” ,“Nothing has been proved”, and “What have I done to deserve this” were omitted, which for me, was a shame.
Mazz is a terrific singer and story- teller in song, in practice she fudged whether she was Mazz singing Dusty, or a Dusty tribute act. Her talent and looks entitle her to the former soubriquet rather than the latter.
A few months earlier I had witnessed Marc Almond also sing “If you Go Away” and “I Close My Eyes and count to ten” what a treat it was to hear Mazz sing them too. A tremendous night, I have no doubt that this will tour nationwide next year, such was the rapturous ovation from a spellbound and adoring crowd.
Garyswordz 