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DUBLIN ... Colman Higgins describes the scope and history of Dublin Gay Theatre Festival ... and reviews two of its shows ... Down Dangerous Passes Road ... Confessions of A Mormon Boy /// LONDON ... film on now ... La Question Humaine / Heartbeat Detector /// BRIGHTON ... It's on till 26 May and here's at least 20 Things you might want to know about Brighton Fringe /// PEOPLE ... Who was there at Fringe Report's First Monday 5 May - photographs & article /// CULTURE ... One Culture ... film screening 30 May booking now ... details
Philip Contini Sings Louis Prima
Verdict: Foot stomping jazz and jive
Posters of New-Orleans-born Louis Prima (19101978), son of Italian immigrants, adorn the wall behind the small stage. There's no room for the double-bass. The opening number is I Wan'na be Like You from Disney's Jungle Book - the part of King Louie was modelled on Louis Prima. Philip Contini is a skilful entertainer, who not only sings but gives an in-depth insight of Louis Prima's life. He says that Louis Prima married five times. All his brides were 21 at the time, but the major influence in his life was his mother, Angelina - also the name of a song written for him.
Mercy Breheny joins Philip Contini on stage to sing I've Got You Under My Skin. She is a representation of Keely Smith, Louis Prima's fourth wife and an important part of his career during 1950s Las Vegas. Her voice is sultry and sexy. The set features songs that are well known, like Pennies From Heaven, Felicia No Capicia, and some lesser-known songs such as Banana Split for My Baby, I Beeped When I Should Have Bopped and Jump, Jive N' Wail. The evening finishes with Just a Gigolo/I Aint Got Nobody.
Philip Contini will be the first person to admit that his voice is nowhere near Louis Prima's, but what he and his band do is to entertain with professional ease. The musicians are all accomplished, and there is an obvious rapport between the seven of them. For those who know nothing of Louis Prima or his music, Philip Contini and his Be Happy Band do a damn good job of jazz, swing and jive to keep anyone happy.
SONGS (in running order): I Wan'na Be Like You. Manuelo Tarantel. Oh Marie. Basin Street Blues/Sleepy Time Down South. Pennies From Heaven. I Beeped When I Should Have Bopped. Angelina/Zooma Zooma. I've Got You Under My Skin. Dummy Song. Banana Split for My Baby. Felicia No Capicia. Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days. The Pump Song. Buonasera Signorina. Jump, Jive N' Wail. Just a Gigolo.
PERFORMERS: Singer: Philip Contini, Mercy Breheny. Band (alpha order): Stephen Coutts guitar. Anne Evans piano, flute and vocals. Dick Lee clarinet, bass clarinet and vocals. Roy Percy bass. John Russell guitar.
COMPANY: Music & Lyrics - various. Arranger - Dick Lee. Technical Staff - uncredited. Producer - uncredited. Company - Philip Contini and his Be Happy Band. www.valvonacrolla.co.uk
END
(c) Lea Harris 2007
reviewed Friday 17 August 07 / Valvona & Crolla
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008