Lorna Dallas is the essence of old school cabaret distilled. She oozes glamour and combines the look of Blanche Deveraux with a spirit of a proper Illinois broad. She sings standards, torch songs and tells the story of her life on the stage. Before she gave it all up for love.

Opening on a medley of There’s No Business Like Show Business and A Glamorous Night she sets the scene from the off. It’s clear that this is cabaret as its purest form. Lorna Dallas came to deliver – and she does it in her highest register.

Accompanied by Simon Beck on the piano, for 90 minutes we were taken on a musical journey which accompanied the theme of the stages of Lorna’s life. The stages she has been through and the stages she has played.

Dallas is clearly a highly accomplished and talented singer. The music wasn’t always to my taste, and could have used a little more variety. I also felt she employed a little more vibrato than I thought necessary. It’s an impressive skill, but works best when used sparingly.

But this is nitpicking at what was an enjoyable and interesting evening. One I wouldn’t normally have experienced. These were wonderful songs, sung well. But in many ways, it was the story Lorna told – about her life in and out of showbusiness – that really made the evening swing.

Long may she continue.

Stages continues on 5th November 2019 https://www.brasseriezedel.com/live-at-zedel/lorna-dallas-stages