The career and extraordinary talent of Judy Garland offers wonderful material and a natural fit for the vibrant stage personality and thrilling voice of Ali Harper, paired with assured musical support from Tom Rainey and his band. The imagined context explored in this showcase of well-loved musical numbers is Judy’s hopeful return to showbiz some years after an ignominious exit, where a drug-fueled personal life led to her disgrace as a performer. Thus, exposition is neatly handled, with the generous choice of songs arranged to reflect the familiar story coherently.

There is, however, more to the production than an evening of favourites. Judy’s personal insecurities as she woos us, her longed-for audience, are established with careful craft. The work is sympathetic, without the dilution of sentiment and, as we have seen in her many solo shows, Ali Harper is totally secure dealing smoothly with the challenges of both music and character. Time and again the wide-eyed vulnerability of the performing Judy is swept up and away as she is taken over by the creative joy of music making, facing, nevertheless, the need for reassurance from her audience. Love, in fact.

Ultimately though, it is the exuberance and musicality of the performer and the elegant sophistication of the band that will be remembered as hallmarks of the production.

Their range of songs takes in all the favourites, among them memorable renderings of ‘I Feel a Song Coming On‘, ‘I’ve Got Rhythm’, ‘The Man That Got Away’ and ‘When You’re Smiling’. Throughout, impeccable musical direction and arrangement are an important part of the whole. Led by Tom Rainey on the piano, Doug Brush (drums), Richie Pickard (double bass) and Jimmy Rainey (horns) – the band – provide ongoing pleasure.

Infectious joy is natural territory for this performer, whose whole body sparks into life with each song. Here, the joy is balanced by the delicious poignancy of hope. By the time Judy’s signature song about rainbow and bluebirds is reached, a thoroughly satisfying theatre experience has been created for us.

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