A Welford winner

The Mary Lou Revue with Marie-Louise

Flexen and Steve Skinley at Welford Park on Sunday, July 25

EVERY now and again something comes along that makes you say “I must tell everyone about this”.

Such was the performance by Mary Lou Revue in the openair amphitheatre at Aline’s Orchard, Welford Park. An open-air show took the risk that the amazing spell of hot weather would be followed by torrential rain. Marie-Louise confessed to me afterwards that she was anxious, yet, without the least sign of nerves the duo shot out a programme of the catchiest tunes ever. All were rendered with superb confidence and originality. The singing itself was more than worth it, but what really worked so well in the amphitheatre-wide format was Mary-Louise’s stage-skimming dancing, audacious, bright and original, ever-changing. All this was delivered with crisp lyrics and harmonies without seeming to break once for breath. (She must be fit underneath those eyepopping costumes.)

Now, as a guitar accompanist to some pretty fancy performers myself, I know how the lady always steals the show. Not so with the dramatic skills of Steve Skinley (aka Slim Ditty) who gave a new lease of life to those timeless melodies; I Get a Kick Out of You, SuperCallifragilistic, Paper Moon, to name but a few. Smile tho’ your Heart is Aching, by contrast, was incredibly moving.

But what would any one of them be without the new amphitheatre constructed at Aline’s Orchard? It combines the intimacy demanded by Mary-Lou Revue with the loveliest of wide horizons that is Welford Park. Thanks too for Aline’s Orchard’s superb coffee and scrumptious cakes served by the Orchard’s home grown team. Her fruit cake alone will bring me back.

Credit to the Corn Exchange for this was one of their undaunted open air events. Fresh air in diesel-smoky old Newbury.