“Liza & Liberace – A Tribute” completed its Manchester dates at Hope Mill Theatre on May 3rd. And how. From start to finish we were spellbound by two outstanding performers who assumed the personalities and mannerisms of their respective icons brilliantly. Camp doesn’t even begin to describe things.
Things start with Liberace (David Saffert) wrapped in a cape, which is discarded to reveal him in a stunning pink sequined suit before he takes to the piano (complete with candelabra) to perform variations on Chopsticks. He’s a brilliant pianist, though how he plays with all the rings on is a mystery. That over, Liza (Jillian Snow) enters in a typical Liza black sequinned trouser suit and from then on the two of them schmooze (and bitch) for the rest of the first half. In real life they never appeared together, but you’d never know that from the show.
The second half opens with a slim Liza belting out “Losing my Mind” as arranged for her by the Pet Shop Boys. It was a stunning rendition that literally took your breath away, but it was the little gestures (a flick of the hair, or a wave of the hand) that nailed it.
I’ve forgotten the order of the other numbers, but we had Liberace playing Rhapsody in Blue, and then accompanying Liza on “As Long as He Needs Me” which cleverly segued into “Maybe This Time”, “Cabaret”, “Over the Rainbow” (of course), “New York, New York”, “I Love a Piano”, “Toxic”, “Pink Pony Club” and more. We had audience participation, (Liberace’s mom was present) and the Liza &Liberace game show, where the audience were split down the middle to vote. Simply hilarious.
I’ve said before that parody is a difficult thing to do unless you are extremely good at playing things straight and you have a strong affection for the person you are sending up. Only then can you introduce the little things that turn you into them convincingly. David and Jillian are just perfect, and we hadn’t laughed so much in a very long time.
The show is over for Manchester, but it’s moving to Blackpool and other venues including Edinburgh Fringe. The remaining dates are listed here where you’ll also find an extended sample of what to expect.
Arriving early to enjoy one of their pre performance pizzas, we also enjoyed the 10% discount at the bar with our trusty Canal St Card.
Paul Schofield for Canal Street Online