After its Dublin Theatre Festival Fringe success last year, the Will to Swing group has returned to the Tivoli with its tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Singers Camille O'Sullivan and Susannah de Wrixon, backed by a piano trio, take us through more than 30 songs from the repertoire, some of which will forever be associated with Ella alone.
After a taped Duke Ellington introduction, O'Sullivan and de Wrixon together launch into Summertime and a swinging version of Lullaby of Broadway. Singing duties are evenly shared between solos, duets and, with the arrival of the enthusiastic David Fancy, some trio numbers. De Wrixon's marvellously full tones feature on a beautiful version of With a Song in My Heart and a heartfelt Miss Otis Regrets. O'Sullivan's lower, moodier voice coaxes poignancy from the dark side of Love for Sale and is perfect for a funky/bluesy Lucky So and So.
The show takes off in the second half, when de Wrixon really comes into her own, first in a sassy bossa medley (Morning of the Carnival, Fly Me to the Moon and The Girl from Ipanema) and then in a selection of Gershwin numbers. O'Sullivan follows with a haunting rendition of Where or When. David Fancy was at his best in the trio numbers, while soloing well on Night and Day and in an impish version of The Lady is a Tramp.
Although drawing heavily on Ella's famous Songbooks, there was room for a playful version of A-tisket, A-tasket and for a reprise of the hilarious live version of Mack the Knife in which Ella forgot the words (de Wrixon wittily substituted "Suzy and her floozy" for "Ella and her fellas").
With solid backing from Andy McDonald (bass), Tom Dunne (drums) and especially Danny Sheridan (piano), the songs and ritzy production make the show much more than a trip down memory lane. It's a big-hearted, well-performed tribute to the music and spirit of the First Lady of Jazz.
Farewell Ella plays at the Tivoli for three weeks. Booking on: 01-4546367
