Turner's Turn

Geraldine doesn't need a gimmick

Back on the cabaret stage after ten years away, the fabulous Geraldine Turner opens her show to a packed house with Gypsy and other great songs from sixties musicals.

She seems a little stressed at first, but once she had shared some of her omnibus of stories with her adoring audience then launched into her 'work medley' of show tunes she relaxed and bounced and glided through the rest of this highly enjoyable two hour show. She peaked when she moved into Sondheim and Lapine's Into the Woods and other more recent work.

Her tale of how they were paid for a show that never launched at Her Majesty's Theatre was particularly amusing and enlightening. Brad Miller did outstanding work accompanying Geraldine on keyboard, but the stage lighting during much of the show gave Geraldine an unpleasant greenish or yellowish tinge. Not a good look. Hopefully this will be addressed in her coming Sunday evening shows at the Hayes.

But in every other way Geraldine Turner's Turn back to cabaret delivers energy, excitement and intimate insider tales, together with a wonderful journey through fifty years of stage musicals.

Stephen Carnell

Director: Caroline Stacey

Musical Director: Brad Miller

Producer: Edna Markey

Photographer: Kurt Sneddon