Songs For Swinging' Lovers
Songs For Swingin’ Lovers! by Lachlan Graham and Amelia Homes is a memoir of love, lust and regret set to Frank Sinatra’s title album and illustrated through song and dance.
Songs for Swingin’ Lovers! explores the ‘concept’ that lives within the album. It doesn’t take place in any particular setting but is more an expression of the themes and trends within each track. With a cast of four world class professional dancers and one Sinatra rich singer, it explores the themes of love, lust, lies and regret amongst many others. The album itself was originally strung together in 1956 with an idea of young love in mind and all the songs had an expression of swing to them. The cast together with the rich five piece band paint an overarching picture to all the ebbs and flows the classic album has to offer.
Featuring the hit songs, Old Devil Moon, I’ve Got You Under My Skin and You Make Me Feel So Young. This production takes you back in time, awakening your senses to the glorious sounds of Frank Sinatra whilst drawing you into the tangled web of life that this album represents.
Created and directed by Lachlan Graham (Follies, Garfield) and Amelia Homes (Ignite the Dark, He Said She Said)
Choreographed by Amelia Homes will bring a wealth of choreography and fierce dynamics through her movement.
Starring, Lachlan Graham as the narrator sings the album with his smooth vocals along side Amelia Homes who is just head over heels in love and completely unaware of what’s to come. John Reed (Funny Girl, Jesus Christ Superstar) plays the severely torn lover, eager to get what he can’t have. Emma Russell (The Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) is the seductress who lures without consequence and Tom New (The King & I, Bare) grasps on to the comfort of the old, unwilling to accept what is happening.
Venue: Chapel off Chapel
Dates: 20 October 2018 – 30 October 2018
Bookings: https://chapeloffchapel.com.au/show/songs-for-swingin-lovers/
NOTE: The RRP listed is for a double pass. Single tickets may be taken up for this event
Feedback/Comments
Great show!
Was a very nice evening
Making Whoopie was best version
To some it might be set it in a New York alley way or for others it could be in the living space of their home but StageArt Xposed with Phoenix productions have left the blank canvas 3 tier stage up to you to create the scene. With memories being poured, by Lachlan Graham (Co-Creator and narrator), from the whisky decanter placed on a small bar table set slightly off the stage.
Graham, or should I say Sinatra, allowed the audience to explore Frank Sinatra’s well known hits from the 1956 album, Songs For Swingin’ Lovers! for those as the title states, “for swingin’ lovers”, set in an undefined space. His mellow, 1940s/50s voice complimented the ensemble of dances and for most numbers was well pitched.
Through Graham’s lyrical narration, and well-choreographed Amelia Homes, Tom New, Emma Russell and John Reed told the story through dance and movement, as if it was all memories being brought to life. I personally found Homes and Reed worked well together, as did New and Russell, although when the partners interchanged I felt hesitations with Reed and Russell. A few numbers included tap dancing, which was great, but there wasn’t any tap shoes involved which made these segments awkward with quiet shuffles. I especially enjoyed Reed’s synchronised and complementary moves with Graham’s use of the stage or small hat adjustments.
Even though Graham didn’t really perform any dance numbers, this was ideal as it was almost 2 separate shows and you as the audience member choose which you were going to follow, although the 2 separate shows complimented each other and painted a bigger picture about the love, heart ache and changes in life.
Lighting by Simon Gallagher was set with clear direction and intentions, although I found some of the flashes to coincide with the music was unnecessary. Sound was also clear and crisp by Josh Mattielli, although I felt the band was over powering Graham’s voice.
I would highly recommend seeing this production for a number of reasons, but after seeing this show there was a media release by Stage Art which broke my heart, but at the same time I was glad I saw this production. As they cease their operation after their other production (currently on) Nine the musical, you will be pleased to have seen their work, amazing talent and such highly professional productions they provide. They know how to foster and strive to showcase/ spotlight Melbourne’s hidden gems.
Absolutely loved it! Great collection of songs brilliantly performance. Would have loved it to run longer I was enjoying it so much. Highly recommended.
Being a lover of Frank Sinatra,I found this show a most pleasant and entertaining .Well presented
good way to spend an afternoon, some good dance sequences.
A lovely period piece. Great musical theatre show with 4 jazz dancers performing to the Sinatra classics. Enjoyed the performance but think it was a little short at 40 min and was wanting at least an hour show.
Singing was great and so were some of the dance sequences - left you wanting more!!
Pleasant entertainment; generally nice vocals and ok dancing accompaniment
perfect all their job at stage yesterday.well done.
Great entertainment - a most enjoyable afternoon. A simple concept very well done.
Good way to spend a rainy afternoon. Some good dance sequences.
was good fun. Back to the 50s