Singer struck up instant rapportwith audience

Review by Marrion Wells.

ST Mary-in-the-Castle open again! Only briefly, only temporarily, but at least it is open.

There was no sign that it had ever been closed when last Sunday Chris Hutchinson treated the audience to another demonstration of his unique vocal talent with melodies familiar and less well-known, delivered with the poise and polish which comes only from an established artist.

His instant rapport with the audience never faltering, opening numbers Night and Day and How Deep is the Ocean led into a duo with vocal favourite Yvonne Lloyd on You Made Me Feel So Young accompanied by Roy Hilton on piano, Erica Wilson on bass, Dave Higgins on drums and Pete Burns on alto sax.

Chris continued with What a Difference a Day Made and Everything I Have is Yours, before introducing Pete as soloist with Lover Come Back to Me, A Ghost of a Chance, and Teach Me Tonight.

Eric Coates’ ballad London By Night was an essay in nostalgia, followed by Erica’s demonstration of her expertise in Green Dolphin Street.

Dave on drums received well-deserved appreciation for his skill in Neal Hefti’s Cute, Yvonne returning with Chris in Cole Porter’s ballad True Love, Two Sleepy People and Rocking Chair.

Carol King’s Will You Still Love me Tomorrow and Chris’s signature How Do You Keep the Music Playing? closed the programme.

St Mary-in-the-Castle switched on the spotlight again for Kenneth Roberts (St Mary-in-the-Castle An Evening at the Opera with Kenneth Roberts, Opera South East Chorus and soloists) on Monday, leading his chorus from the piano through moments from operas and the musical songbook, plus a few ‘wild cards’ for good measure.

Kenneth brings his Sussex Concert Orchestra again to St Mary-in-the-Castle this Sunday (October 14) at 7.30pm. £12/£10.