Review – Sing, Swing, Get in The Mood with The Pacific Belles
The Pacific Belles are a harmonising swing trio in the spirit of Vera Lynn and the Andrews Sisters who entertained the troops during World War Two. They are joined by Alan Fletcher from Neighbours (aka Karl Kennedy) and the Speakeasy Band, in Adelaide’s own air raid shelter, the Paradiso Spiegeltent.
Just in case you suspect me of unfair bias, let me preface this by saying that I love swing music and find 1940s culture fascinating. But this show was in equal parts under-rehearsed, uncomfortably sleazy, unengaging, and notably lacking in the panache that is needed to pull off such an act.
Allow me to explain. The girls Betty, Dot, and Mabel had good voices and harmonised well, but the sound was too low and the attitude just didn’t come across. Nicely tailored outfits complemented their immaculate hair and makeup, though, and their cute synchronised dance moves were fitting of the era.
l was rather surprised to discover that Alan Fletcher has a second career as a singer. The man has the stage presence of a soggy sandwich. Much worse, he is a disgusting sleaze. He joked about how the best thing about being on Neighbours for 20 years was having two wives. A forced flirtation in the script between Dot and the ‘Silver Fox’ made my skin crawl. Fletcher butchered Radiohead’s “Creep”, but at least the lyrics fit him to a tee.
The band was solid, but took too long to start each song after it was introduced, which probably spoke more to the lack of rehearsals than their skill. Speaking of which, both Fletcher and the girls forgot their lines or started singing the wrong verse on more occasions than should be tolerated.
If you’re a big fan of the old classics like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”, “Rum and Coca-Cola” and “Accentuate the Positive”, and will enjoy hearing even an amateurish rendition, then perhaps you would tolerate this. Otherwise, steer clear. Or, to be fair, wait until you can see the Belles in a more intimate venue sans their sleazy ‘friend’.
