A review of Aspects Productions Ltd.

by Larry Richmond
Event: Big Band Blitz 2011 – the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbour and America’s entry into WWII.  
Venue: Clarendon Hall, York House, Richmond Road, Twickenham. 
Date: Saturday 12th November 2011 at 7.30pm (doors open at 6.30pm) 
 
Step back in time, return to the 1940s and dance the night away at Big Band Blitz. 
This popular and highly successful annual 1940s event (as featured in 2009 on BBCs Strictly Come Dancing) will this year commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour, which led to America’s entry into WWII.

Proceeds from this special charity event will help benefit The Museum of Richmond.

Big Band Blitz re-creates a 1940s WWII Glenn Miller night of entertainment, featuring the Jon Bennett Big Band playing the music of Glenn Miller and other big bands from the 1940s, plus special guests from the world of entertainment. There will be 1940s re-enactors and dancers, 1940s vehicles, , period dress and memorabilia, food and drink from the NAAFI and a licensed bar, the Air-Raid Warning, a celebrity raffle, plus much more.
 
The Jon Bennett Big Band has appeared in the West End at the Lyceum and Dominion Theatres, the Savoy Hotel, the Australian High Commission, and the Royal Gala Performance, Night of Nights, at Richmond Theatre. Jon Bennett has been musical director for a number of charity gala shows, and has worked with a number of performers including Bonnie Langford, Clive Rowe, Peter Straker, and the late Roy Castle.

Among the showbiz guests appearing will be the welcome return of talented actor / singer, Jack Pinder, who will be singing some of the great songs of the period in his own smooth style. 
Also making a return appearance will be songstress, Jan Griffiths, who has appeared in a number of shows, including The Merry Widow, Carousel, and The Sound of Music.


Another special guest, making a welcome return to sing the standards with the big band, is rock legend Pete French of Atomic Rooster, Cactus and LeafHound fame (Pete’s vocals are featured in the hit television series Life on Mars, and in the movie Breakfast on Pluto).

Making her first Big Band Blitz appearance will be talented musical theatre / blues vocalist Debbie Giles (her many credits include the West End production of Hello Dolly).


There will also be a touch of wartime variety with Iain Dawson as ‘Viv the Spiv’, and Alf Cook & John Marchant as ‘Flanagan and Allen’.

Plus special guest from the American Embassy, vocalist, Kate Bentley; and cast members from the new acclaimed 1940s musical BlueBirds.

The Mayor of Richmond upon Thames and other VIP guests, including diplomatic representation from the American Embassy in London, will join 200 members of the public for this special celebration.

A special dedication has been sent by John Miller (nephew of the late Glenn Miller).  
So, step back in time, put on your glad rags, 40s or otherwise, and return to the 1940s to dance the night away at Big Band Blitz 2011.