Legends
Hamilton Gardens, Ancient Egyptian Garden, Hamilton
26/02/2025 - 26/02/2025
Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa 2025
Production Details
Denise Norton is creator , MD and performer .
This show features music from Noa , Jay Hawkins , Edith Piaf , Don McLean ,Sondheim , A.L Webber and many more
Legends are not just characters from ancient tales or epic sagas , they are individuals who strive for more , who defy odds that appear insurmountable . They challenge the status quo exploring realms of courage and creativity that many only dare to imagine . As we navigate the escape from mediocrity , drama and triumph unfold , and that’s where our story lives ….
A one woman show of fantastic musical numbers spanning folk, musical theatre, jazz and everything in between.
Experience the charm of dazzling chanteuse Denise Norton as she takes you on a journey through the different musical styles of her illustrious career, featuring the music of Edith Piaf, Screaming Jay Hawkins and Al Cooper.
“The presence of Denise Norton on stage is as astounding as her voice.” – Daily Post on the Rhein, Germany
Ancient Egyptian Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton
Wednesday 26 February 2025
7:45pm – 9:00pm
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/legends/hamilton
CREW
Peter Plumb , Thomas Joyce , Tommy Louie
Musical , Solo , Theatre ,
75 minutes
Complete entertainment that is over all too soon
Review by Mike Williams 27th Feb 2025
The Ancient Egyptian Garden at Hamilton Gardens could well have been built just so that Denise Norton could perform Legends there. What a perfect venue for it.
With accompaniment from keyboardist Tommy David and Thomas Joyce (TJ) on drums, she begins her show as Cleopatra, telling the story of her life and her loves, through songs both dramatic and heartfelt. From her opening number ‘I Don’t Know’, Norton clearly has the crowd completely in the palm of her hand.
She builds the scene further with ‘I Put A Spell On You’, ‘I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know’, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ‘Make You Feel My Love’.
Her voice is captivating, pure. Her sense of the dramatic is acute and the effect is palpable.
Then, it’s time for a change of gown and a complete change of pace. Re-emerging as Edith Piaf, Norton treats us to a master class in understatement and passion.
She is Piaf as she delivers ‘Non Je Ne Regrette Rien’ and ‘La Vie En Rose’ and others, while talking about her career and her life’s journey. Again the clarity of her vocals is stunning and the crowd laps it up.
I am struck by her ability to remain almost stationary, carefully poised and posed, while delivering such haunting vocals. Truly spellbinding. The audience loves it.
Another change and Denise Norton hits the stage as herself, to finish the performance with a couple of show-stoppers, ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ and ‘Memory’ – to huge applause.
It’s one thing to be able to sing the songs, it’s quite another to be able to hold the stage on your own and take your audience to somewhere else and some other time. Norton’s comprehensive experience as a singer, dancer and actor comes together in a near-perfect storm. She’s that good.
Complete entertainment that is over all too soon.
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