[MUSIC/CABARET ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ GBR/AUS]

The Jade, Tue 12 Mar.

Adelaide’s own Louise Messenger loves Ella Fitzgerald dearly, but when she took to the stage at The Jade on the opening night of her new show, she had to admit that it was going to be impossible to perfectly replicate Ella’s fabulously distinctive voice. But, well, she came awfully close.

After an amusing introduction where Louise also explained that Ella played Hollywood’s Zardi’s Jazzland for two weeks in the summer of 1956, and how the final night was recorded for posterity and this was then somehow locked away for decades, our star proceeded to perform most of the tunes from that evening all those years ago. And, to add authenticity, Ella’s funny banter with the audience was also carefully copied, and would-be ‘hecklers’ shouted out requests, some of which were met with sharp responses.

Getting into the swing of things with It All Depends On You, Louise/Ella shifted into more standards with glee, including a smoky Cry Me A River, a peppy A Fine Romance (bouncier and sexier than when famously sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) and a fittingly fast Gone With The Wind. Making a joke of a very 21st Century technical glitch, we were also treated to a cool clarinet interlude as Louise changed and returned for a bit of George and Ira Gershwin’s ‘S Wonderful, as well as Glad To Be Unhappy, The Tender Trap and more.

Early on Louise said that Ella has always given her “ebullient joy”, and by the end of the night we were all pretty joyful too.

4 stars

Dave Bradley

Ella At Zardi’s continues at The Jade from 8.30pm until Thu 14 Mar. [SOLD OUT]

Image courtesy of Sharon Davis

#ADLfringe

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[MUSIC/CABARET ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ GBR/AUS] The Jade, Tue 12 Mar. Adelaide’s own Louise Messenger loves Ella Fitzgerald dearly, but when she took to the stage at The Jade on the opening night of her new show, she had to admit that it was going to be impossible to perfectly replicate Ella’s fabulously distinctive voice. But, well, she came awfully close. After an amusing introduction where Louise also explained that Ella played Hollywood’s Zardi’s Jazzland for two weeks in the summer of 1956, and how the final night was recorded for posterity and this was then somehow locked away for decades, our star proceeded to perform most of the tunes from that evening all those years ago. And, to add authenticity, Ella’s funny banter with the audience was also carefully copied, and would-be ‘hecklers’ shouted out requests, some of which were met with sharp responses. Getting into the swing of things with It All Depends On You, Louise/Ella shifted into more standards with glee, including a smoky Cry Me A River, a peppy A Fine Romance (bouncier and sexier than when famously sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) and a fittingly fast Gone With The Wind. Making a joke of a very 21st Century technical glitch, we were also treated to a cool clarinet interlude as Louise changed and returned for a bit of George and Ira Gershwin’s ‘S Wonderful, as well as Glad To Be Unhappy, The Tender Trap and more. Early on Louise said that Ella has always given her “ebullient joy”, and by the end of the night we were all pretty joyful too. 4 stars Dave Bradley Ella At Zardi’s continues at The Jade from 8.30pm until Thu 14 Mar. [SOLD OUT] Image courtesy of Sharon Davis #ADLfringe

The Clothesline rating...

Dave Bradley

A very authentic portrayal.

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