Read a review for the 5 Decades of Magic Concert by The Halifax Courier.
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Published on Monday 10 October 2011 11:11

Charity Dreamgirls

Five Years of Magic

Victoria Theatre

This was the fifth and final event of what had been a hectic week for the high-achieving Dreamgirls, celebrating five years of raising awareness for northern charities.

It gave Kate Hardcastle and her fellow Dreamgirls Jenny Smith and Kate Peters the chance to strut their stuff with the stars who, together with the versatile band directed from the keyboard by Jon Chamberlain, and compere Terry Christian, had all given their time for free.

Sporting typically fashionable outfits they accompanied their guests as groovy backing singers and themselves sang pop hits from five decades, from the 1950s to the 1990s.

From the 50s, trim, dapper Ricky Vallance sang swing numbers and his 1960 No1 Tell Laura I Love Her.

Tremolo Chip Hawkes, father of the dishy Chesney, came across as engagingly self-deprecating with his catchy 60s contributions, including Silence is Golden.

Tiny Angie Brown, of the big, big voice, celebrated soul and funk 70s-style with a knockout version of RESPECT.

Katrina, minus her Waves but in terrific voice, really got the audience going with her 1983 hit Walking On Sunshine and her 1997 Eurovision winner Love Shine A Light.

Orientale Dance Company, winners of Friday’s Talent Show, delighted with their graceful belly dancing and there was a glorious finale featuring everyone who had taken part.

The information videos need to be improved but otherwise this was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, raising awareness for Overgate Hospice, the Retail Trust and the Willow Foundation.

Julia Anderson

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