REVIEW: An Evening With Aled Jones, Pavilion Theatre, Worthing

With a popular and loyal following, it created a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, helped along by the charming Mr Jones himself, of course.

The evening opened with a few songs from Sadie Jemmett, who was promoting her debut album The Blacksmith’s Girl. Her soulful acoustic style was beautifully arresting but she seemed to struggle with the big stage and was constantly holding her arm up to shield the spotlight.

No problems on that front for Aled, though, who is very much at home on a live stage and was able to mix a variety of songs with chatter and an amusing question and answer session.

His performance began with his haunting tones giving voice to a Welsh tune from off stage. He stepped in front of the audience for the second verse, to be greeted with rapturous applause.

Songs of Praise was, inevitably, mentioned early on but this was no hymn night, more a mix of popular tunes, both covers and originals. The sound quality in the auditorium was faultless, no doubt partly thanks to Aled bringing his own sound crew.

We were treated to insights into his family life, his busy career, his experiences in a West End musical and “outtakes” from his current tour, of which Worthing was the ninth date.

Mr Jones will no doubt return to Worthing again, and many will very much be looking foward to it, too.

By Elaine Hammond