The hubby can be a bit tricky to buy Christmas presents for and this past festive season, my Mum was stuck for ideas of what to purchase.

Trying to help her out, I said that we were not really buying possessions. Trips, activity days, theatre performances etc were all good ideas as it meant we had things to look forward to, without spending a vast fortune on tickets.

Mum gave me some money to get tickets for us both. I ummed and ahhed at what to do.

Did I go for one expensive ticket priced show, or go for a medium priced couple of shows. I decided that I would check all the local theatres and see what was on. That way if anything took my fancy, it would help with my decision.

I tried our closest theatre and nothing jumped out at me. I then moved along to the one around 10 miles away. Again the same result.

Casting my net further I went as far as the wonderful Stables Theatre in nearby Wavendon, a 45 minute drive away.

This building is a lovely little theatre/performance area and was founded by Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine almost fifty years ago. Seating 398 people in the main auditorium,it is cosy and intimate but has some great acoustics. They also have a smaller around for around 80 people which holds comedy performances and also new acts just getting out onto the circuit.

Perusing their calendar I spotted a performance that the husband would love; Naturally 7 on the 3rd March.

Now this group are a vocal a cappella group that we have liked for several years now. They have toured with people such as Michael Buble, Queen, and Coldplay.

Priced at only £25 a ticket, it meant I still had another £50 to spend. Now, what should I look for.

Then I spotted a performance called Crooners. To be honest, the website didn’t really say much about it. It literally described it as a rip-roaring comedy music show, paying homage to some of the greatest crooners of all time.

Well, the hubby loves the American standards and is partial to a bit of Buble, and again at £25 a ticket, it was within the budget.

Now, In my wisdom I didn’t look it up online or see if there was any more information. And to be honest, I wasn’t that bothered as that kind of music is right up our street and I knew it would be a good night out.

We decided to make an evening of it so duly put our glad-rags on, including my custom made dress from Betty Blue Vintage, and he put on a lovely checked trouser and waist-coat combo.

We do scrub up OK

Intending to eat before the performance, we headed over to Wavendon. We chanced upon a wonderful pub/restaurant called The Cross Keys and popped in to see if there was a table free.

We were ably helped by the lovely Aaron and had a most marvellous meal. One that we intend repeating on the next visit in March. Also, please watch out for a review of the restaurant as it really was outstanding.

To Start….

Anyway, I digress.

We headed over to The Stables, parked up and went into the vestibule. Ordering some drinks, the auditorium opened up and so we decided to find our seats.

I had managed to do a pretty good job as we were in the front row and had an excellent view.

on display

The lights went down and the performance started. Rupert, Charlie and Winston came onto the stage, dressed in a dapper vintage style. Hats, monocles, pocket squares and Oxford Bags. They really did look smashing.

The Mini Big Band were the musicians; a 9 piece band with a 6 piece horn section, and let me tell you, those fellas could blow!

The only issue I had with them was their Double Bass player.

But… You are in Texas?!?!?

He was literally the dead ringer for my brother in law, who is a Captain in the USA Army. Once I spotted it, I was transfixed and couldn’t un-see it.

I whispered to the hubby ‘Since when did you brother learn to play the Bass?’

All I got back was ‘Oh my God, it’s my brother!!!’

Anyway, the performance had everything. Amazing singing, tap dancing, fabulous clothing, stunning song choices and a lot of hilarity and double entendres.

Dance!

We sat in our chairs laughing out loud and also singing along to some of the best songs ever written.

I have to admit, I got sucked into the story-line and couldn’t wait to see where it went.

Fun and Laughter all round

During the intermission we met the Deputy Duty Manager Mark Burgess and a most lovely Stablemate, Terry Askew who had been helping out at The Stables for well over 25 years. I stood asking a few questions about the history of the Theatre and Terry asked if I had seen the other performance areas.

Cafe and Bar

Mark then took us across and let us have a look at the smaller room, which is also a cafe before performances. A perfect use of space.

I told Mark that we were loving the performance that evening and that it really was an outstanding show. I could have stood and talked for hours with him, however an announcement was made that the second half of the show was about to start.

A cosy intimate venue

We hastened back to our seats as we didn’t want to miss a single thing.

The second half was as good as the first. We were entertained from the very get-go. When each of the stars came out and transformed themselves into Sammy Davis Jnr, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra, well we were just blown away.

Ooops

I was also the very lucky recipient of a serenade from Winston (beautifully played by Jim Whitley). The beautiful ‘It had to be You’ was smooth like silk and I was a very lucky girl.

Jim Whitley

Sadly the performance ended all too soon.

The Finale

We literally had enjoyed every single second and I mentioned that I would like to get a programme so I could use it for some of the facts in my blog. We entered the vestibule and there were the three stars, talking to the ticket holders and having photographs taken.

Never one to miss an opportunity to get a good photograph for the blog, we duly queued up and when it was our turn to have a picture, the three guys recognised us as being from the front row!

An honour to meet the stars!

How amazing was that?

Such a perfect end to a perfect night.

Even though I now know the plotline to the show, I have noticed that it is actually playing at one of our more local theatres in May; The Kettering Lighthouse.

Anyone for a night at the Theatre??

I would like to extend my thanks to the whole cast and all the musicians involved in the show, especially Roman Marek who not only wrote the script and directed it, but also co-produced the show. It was co-choreographed with Jim Whitley.

I honestly cannot recommend this show enough. It has everything you could want from a theatre show and it was of the highest calibre.

If it is coming to a theatre near you, then seriously, go get yourself some tickets!

You won’t regret it.

Till next time,

SPSG xx