REVIEW: Jane McDonald ‘Making Memories’, Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

AS Jane McDonald approaches the 20th anniversary of The Cruise - the BBC docu-soap that effectively launched her career no one could ever accuse her of ‘coasting’.

In fact judging by last night’s storming performance at Bournemouth Pavilion it is clear the hard-working star is at the pinnacle of her career and loving every moment.

Such was the success of last year’s Making Memories tour she added 14 more dates and anyone lucky enough to get a tickets for her Southampton Mayflower show on Sunday July 16 is in for an absolute treat!

Her vocals at 54 are astounding – the best they have ever been, delivered with all the power, passion and might of a true diva. She received standing ovation after standing ovation countless times throughout the show.

But what makes Jane so very special is that she remains the same old down to earth Wakefield lass who has never forgotten her roots. One moment she had the audience dapping tears from their eyes as she sang about absent friends the next she’d have us in stitches with her self-deprecating humour delivered with the skill of a true comedian.

It is a real joy when the years of hard graft- including the years playing the notoriously tough northern working men’s clubs, countless tours and TV shows such as the decade on Loose Women, all manifest themselves in such a slick, perfectly formed show.

A couple of dress sizes smaller after her stint on the TV show Sugar Free Farm she looked sensational in her numerous costume changes starting with a glamorous black and gold sequinned, fish-tail gown and opening the show with a rousing version of ‘With a little help from My Friends’. In a show that included tracks from her forthcoming self-penned album ‘Hold the Covers Back’ she paid tribute to her dad who had been her roadie for 15 years with ‘I’ll Be There’. There was a song for her fans too ‘The Singer of Your Song’ as she thanked them saying there is no greater joy than to be able to tour and sing.

A high point was a brilliant tribute to Cilla Black including Step Inside, Anyone who has a Heart and You’re My World which concluded the first half with a standing ovation.

The second half, returning in a spangled trouser suit, was equally powerful as she started with a Bond medley comprising Writing’s on The Wall, Goldfinger, Skyfall, Diamonds are Forever, Licence to Kill and Live and Let Die.

That in itself was an eclectic mix of Shirley Bassey, Adele and Sam Smith and the variety continued with a moving performance of The Rose, alongside “ best friend” Sue Ravey and a tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire with Let’s Groove and Boogie Wonderland, followed by the moving The Hand That Leads Me, written for her mum.

Another costume change into a dramatic black ballgown and she almost lifted the theatre roof off with Memory from the musical Cats – a nod to her starring role as Grizabella in Lloyd Webber’s show.

Yet another well- earned standing ovation and a costume change into a short red sparkly number as she closed the show with disco tracks and her trade mark song Dance Yourself Dizzy. It was a fabulous show!