Our man on the ground in Hampshire Geoff Worrall caught Made in Britain at the Assembly Rooms in Derby Friday night and filed this review:
The show opened with The Rapiers setting the mood, belting out The Shads’ early classic Shadoogie. Straight from the off you could tell the lads were in fine form, as slick and polished as ever. Following a bit of banter between Neil Ainsby and Colin Pryce-Jones, Billie Davis came on to delight the audience with her '60s hits, including her best known, Tell Him.
The Rapiers did a superb Wonderful Land before introducing Steve "Cliff Richard" Halliday, who bounded on stage to the opening riff of Move It. His first set of the evening included Living Doll, We Say Yeah (complete with audience participation) and The Young Ones. When he left the stage, it was time for The Rapiers again, this time marking the 50th Anniversary of Apache. Up next, for Billy Fury fans, Michael King was superb in both voice and appearance.
After the interval, The Rapiers opened with FBI before bringing back Billie Davis. However, when she was late coming out, a quick-thinking Colin asked the audience what should they do? The consensus: The Rapiers' well-known tribute [GO: Presumably Good Golly Miss Molly] to Screaming Lord Sutch—clearly appreciated by all. When she appeared, Billie entertained with songs and anecdotes of her days at Decca Records.
Steve's second set included more '60s classics and songs from Summer Holiday. Finally, the evening finished with another fine set from Michael.
This is the second time I've missed out on seeing "The Rapiers" locally - first at The Regal (abput 100 yaeds from where I live!)and now at the Assembly Rooms! if you know they are playing locally again I'd be most grateful if you can give ne a nudge. Geoff. Thenks
Tony
Posted by: Tony szpala | 03 July 2010 at 04:32 AM
Tony, far easier for you to check the 2010 datebook here. Alternatively, you might become Facebook friends with Nathan J. Hulse and Neil Ainsby, for a direct-to-the-source route.
Posted by: Greg O. | 09 July 2010 at 02:50 PM