Wild Cabaret, Glasgow – 22 October 2107. Reviewed by Alice Sharp
5*****
In a cosy wee venue, tucked into a street in the Merchant Square area of Glasgow you will find the Wild Cabaret. On entering the venue tonight there was an immediate buzz. It is a while since I have been in such an intimate venue where I often think the artist performing must be brave and full of confidence and tonight Keith Jack was exactly that.
The whole show was a whistle top tour of movies from different eras, in a variety of styles and incredibly engaging. Jack was immediate, he opened the show with a fabulous rendition of Viva Las Vegas that brought the house down, gently moved on to a beautiful heartfelt version of Love me Tender and rocked into a fabulous rendition of Jailhouse Rock.
The whole evening was given a narrative by Jack, who was easy going and humorous, it felt as if you were in his sitting room, among friends until he began his next number. Then you were transported to the film set or location of whatever movie the song was from. His banter was warm and friendly and highlighted his love of sharing his superb voice.
His ease as he introduced Darren, Ben and Scott his band and his two backing singers, Alice and Danielle before they all launched into Staying Alive with much whooping and clapping was ace and then his Love is All Around was just as good as Pellow, if not better.
Its been ten years since Jack was runner up in Any Dream Will Do, he was reflective of this during the show as he suggested that he was now able to grow a beard, had lost the need for straight hair and got curly and may have put on a few pounds. I would suggest that Keith has grown into himself. His Lullaby version of I Just Called to Say I Love You was like a tender caress. The powerful use of his voice and tones of each word brought an emotional connection to the surface of every member of the audience. Just before the interval he introduced Vivace Theatre School choir finishing with I Believe I Can Fly. What a thrill for each of the children to be involved in such an experience, adding their voices to that of Jacks. I am left wondering why we have not heard more of Jack in the last ten years?
Act two began a spine tingling Beauty and the Beast, without any video animation you just had to close your eyes and listen to his amazing voice to believe you were in the ballroom as the characters danced to his tune. Ramping things up we then were treated to Dirty Dancing’s She’s Like the Wind followed by Eye of the Tiger with us all being invited to ‘Rock Out.’
Jacks Musical Director Scott and Jack then offered an enchanting medley of Bright Eyes, Somewhere Out There from An American Tail and There Can be Miracles from Prince of Egypt. Batman Forever was our next stop on the tour with Kiss for a Rose it was beautiful and almost haunting. We then went thundering into Born to be Wild from Easy Rider and the show was brought to a close in a gradual crescendo with Run to You from the Bodyguard and Everything I do, I do it For You from Robin Hood.
The whole evening was energetic, and personal. Keith Jack deserves to be listened to . It was not a magical mystery tour but a look back on songs that mean something to the artist and tonight to me the listener. I will look out for Keith Jack and would recommend his show to one and all.