The Old Paint Shop Season – a reference to the former use of the Studio Theatre at York Theatre Royal – saw eight mostly musical shows in January and February in an informal cabaret setting. Beverley Beirne was the seventh, to be followed the next night by a potentially riotous finale with burlesque artist Freida Nipples and the Exhibitionists. The Studio Theatre, dimly lit, with a variety of hanging lamps, was filled to capacity with an audience seated at tables.
Beverley Beirne, Ilkley-based, has forged a reputation with appearances at such places as Ronnie Scott’s and performs a nicely varied programme of less familiar standards mixed in with songs by the likes of Noddy Holder and David Bowie, culminating in a fine version of Bobby Timmons’ Moanin’ – with pianist Alec Robinson setting the soulful mood – to round off the first set.
Beirne has a rich voice and the ability to change tack completely between songs which compensate for an occasionally over-emphatic approach that tends to stretch syllables beyond their natural duration. She makes good use of the two excellent musicians who make up her trio, Robinson offering neat paraphrases of the songs and swinging out when required, bassist Emlyn Vaughan offering an atmospheric introduction to Devil May Care before switching to bowed bass for Reaching for the Moon. That seldom-heard song provided Beirne with the opportunity to impress with her stylish phrasing.
She was at her best on songs such as Reaching for the Moonand a lovely Gypsy in My Soul, with attractive, somewhat elusive melodies to out over.Novelties such as Cum On Feel the Noize made less impression. Having begun with old favourites C’est Si Bon and Stepping Out with My Baby, she mixed up her material cleverly. Overall Beverley Beirne gave us a well-presented programme, perhaps lacking the spark of individuality.
Reviewed on 7th February 2025
The Reviews Hub Score
Attractive cabaret performance
