BWW Reviews: Lucy Maunder in IRVING BERLIN: SONGS IN THE KEY OF BLACK Is A Beautiful Tribute To The Legendary Songwriter.

Tuesday 7th April 2015, Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

The audience at Hayes Theatre are transported to a smoky 1920's Bowery district Speakeasy with their latest cabaret offering, IRVING BERLIN: SONGS IN THE KEY OF BLACK which merges the fabulous voice of Lucy Maunder with the iconic music one of the greatest American songwriters.

Maunder, in a sexy Little Black Dress, smoky eyes and swept up curls is joined by her musical director Isaac Hayward on the Baby Grand piano as she creates the ambiance of a the little Lower East Side bars where Berlin started his career.

Her interpretation of Berlin's work is clear, with texture and color and thankfully, without any imposed accents which many performers choose to attempt. Presenting her own interpretations of the well-known songs without trying to take on an American accent helps convey her connection and understanding of the music. This combined with variations on the tempo and depth of the accompaniment, give new feelings, emotions and moods to songs covered by so many artists over the years. Maunder's range and flexibility is demonstrated in the sweetness in her higher range to the deeper intensity in her powerful lower register and in playful and seductive styling to melancholy and mournful interpretations. She also understands how to connect to the audience, utilizing eye contact to make the audience believe she is singing to them, as individuals and ensuring that her microphone placement does not obscure her face.

The selection on songs, including Blue Skies, Puttin' On The Ritz, Alexander's Rag Time Band, and Steppin' Out With My Baby are artfully tied together with the patter which includes stories, quotes and Maunder's own personal connection to the music. Whilst most of the storytelling is not presented in a contrived character, which many other performers would have been tempted to do, Maunder's reading of an article on the War on Ragtime and its evils in a accent that triggers memories of the stereotypical Temperance women is well executed and provides a contrast between her own storytelling and the reading. Her physicality is precise but not overdone, emphasizing the lyrics and assisting in telling the stories in the ballads and the monologues and her fluid movement to the music expresses enjoyment and connection.

Hayward provides a skilled accompaniment and it is appreciated that the piano has been angled so that his fingers can be seen as he works the keys. Thankfully I Love A Piano has been included in the song selection so Hayward's incredible talents can be showcased as he works through a range of styles of music in his solo whilst also demonstrating a playful side as he cheekily keeps playing as Maunder waits, not so patiently.

Whilst Maunder started in Musical Theatre, she has proved that she understands the connection, interpretation and intimacy required for Cabaret as demonstrated in IRVING BERLIN: SONGS IN THE KEY OF BLACK. This understanding, paired with Maunder's wonderful voice, makes this a must see show and I also hope that she returns to the Cabaret stage with more offerings in the future.

LUCY MAUNDER IN IRVING BERLIN: SONGS IN THE KEY OF BLACK

Hayes Theatre, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point, NSW

7 April - 12 April 2015

Tuesday - Saturday 7:30pm, Saturday 2:00pm, Sunday 5:00pm

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