Encore October 2007
It has been a great pleasure for our venue to have a show of the calibre of ‘One Night in Vegas’. The standard of the production is comparable with shows such as ‘Mad about the Musicals’ and ‘That’ll be the Day’. Martyn Lucas brings not only his own talent to the production but also the added elements of a world class live band, sadly missing in some shows, fantastic supporting cast, including the added dimension of a champion illusionist and glorious costumes. The company is a joy to work with on the technical side.
‘One Night in Vegas’ appeared in our venue 5 times during August. Each performance drew a bigger audience to end up with a full house. They have established a very strong local following & look forward to there return next year.
Our theatre is not council subsidised and we have been struggling to keep open what is actually an excellent performance space. With the arrival of shows like ‘One Night in Vegas’ our audience numbers are growing and support for the venue grows alongside.
I would strongly recommend ‘One Night in Vegas’ to any theatre.
Adam Cunard.
General Manager.
Alexandra Theatre.
The Observer August 2007
We booked to see ‘One Night in Vegas’ at the Alexandra Theatre, Bognor, mainly as part of our daughter’s GCSE drama/music homework to visit different shows. So when we arrived at the theatre, we were not really sure what to expect.
Firstly, we were surprised to find several of the dancing girls, in costume, around the auditorium. Then the show opened with Martyn Lucas and Daniel Dean singing a big-band number, a row of girls dancing behind them, and a small orchestra behind them.
At this point I wondered if I might regret buying the tickets and envisaged two hours of similar songs to follow. How wrong was I.
The songs were better with each number, the dancing girls and costumes were brilliant, and Daniel Dean was funny, lovable and an excellent master of illusion.
But the true showman was Martyn Lucas, who took us from singing and dancing in our seats one moment to spellbound with a classical piece on the piano the next.
Martyn’s impressions of various singers from Sir Cliff Richard (I’m a big follower), Sir Elton John to Pavarotti were absolutely amazing, as if the singers themselves were on stage – in fact, maybe better than if they were. I only wish it were longer.
By the end, when the whole cast were in the foyer to greet us and sign programmes, I felt we knew them and had been part of a wonderful experience. I bought the CD and my family and I will definitely be back for the One Night in Christmas and to next year’s show.
MARION MAWBEY
The Observer
Dorset Echo July 2007
Weymouth Pavilion Theatre Summer 2007
Glitz and glamour, gags and talent at Vegas night.
You know you are in for a night of glitzy glamour even before you take your seat for the show, as you are greeted at the door by leggy girls wearing ostrich feathers, minute sparkly costumes and very little else.
Songs from the standard popular repertoire, dancers, an illusionist and a good live backing group all add up to create an entertaining and colourful show that has pace, style and loads of talent.
Martyn Lucas who is not only the presenter and producer but is the star act, sings in the manner of a host of artists ranging from Elton John to Pavarotti, proving himself to be a remarkably talented performer.
But it is not until after the interval that he displays his gifts as a fine pianist in an all-too-brief appearance at the keyboard – a great pity as this is one of the highlights of the show and could provide the essential ice-breaker for the opening numbers which are ever so lightly laboured.
Supplying the essential comic element of the evening is Daniel Dean, an illusionist with a host of laughter inducing jokes that he delivers with panache, along with some jaw-dropping and convincing magic, proving himself to be a likable stage character.
With six gorgeous dancers, numerous costume changes and effective technical wizardry, this is a relaxing and colourful holiday show for all the family to savour.
Marion Cox.
Dorset Echo.
Eastbourne Herald July 2007
The first of five visits to the Royal Hippodrome took place last Saturday when the One Night in Vegas company entertained a very appreciative audience.
This is an ideal show for the coach parties and hotel visitors who regularly support the Hippodrome but it is of such a high calibre that local residents would also do well to pay a visit to the theatre the next time the show comes to town.
The show’s main performer is Martyn Lucas, a young man with a great voice and a wide vocal range.
Singing a number of songs throughout the evening associated with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darrin and many others. He also gives his sound-alike interpretations of other great performers such as Elton John, Cliff Richard, Neil Diamond and even the great Pavarotti. Martyn is ably supported by Daniel Dean, a superb magician who has entertained Eastbourne audiences in two previous seasons at the Hippodrome.
This very likable entertainer performed illusions which would not be out of place on the Sunset Strip of Las Vegas.
Assisting the two young men throughout the show are six lovely ladies, all talented dancers in their own right, who are spectacularly costumed in Vegas-style outfits.
This is really a classy show and it is not hard to see why it wowed the audiences throughout the country on it’s UK tour.
Martyn finishes the show with his own composition Anybody Out There and he and the company deserve to have full houses ‘out there’ in the auditorium when they return to the Hippodrome on August 4.
I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Harry Lederman.
Eastbourne Herald.
Encore Review December 2006
One Night in Vegas...
Epsom Playhouse 4th November 2006
Producer Martyn Lucas
SHOWGIRLS DELIGHT
If you like to see spectacularly dressed (If that's the right word) for the scarsity of costume material) Showgirls then this is the show for you. Feathers galore adorned six beautiful dancers who clearly enjoyed their work, as did the audience.
The principle dancers KATHERINE WHITE and ZARA MASON were well supported in their dazzling routines by KIMBERLEY KNOWLES, CHARLOTTE McGRANE, DAISY NATALE and MICHELLE WIGNELL. They all, of course, looked gorgeous but Katherine and Zara also showed plenty of personality with their vocal work and assisting with the amazing illusions of DANIEL DEAN. The latter executes his magical skills to a level worthy of a Las Vegas headliner.
As to the 'star' of the show MARTYN LUCAS, I was most impressed with the superb range of his voice - and his talent to impersonate several singing stars of yesterday and today was clearly displayed during his second-half set sat at the piano.
Although I would liked to have seen more substance to the show's billed links with 'Vegas' and I am not a fan of taped music, I was able to forget my scruples because the entertainment quality was so high. This show is Martyn's own creation and I wish him well with it.
PETER G FOOT.
Editor Encore Magazine.
