Reviewed: Mar 21

There's a theory Fred Astaire invented the Maglev decades before the British, explaining his ability to dance on air and focus on what was going on above the knees.

By the time of the show the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's all-singing, all-dancing A Tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers had been tweaked into A Tribute to the Fred and Ginger Era, which made sense because the footwork from Kirby Ward and Joan Hess was far from show-stopping.

Lead male vocalist Doug LaBrecque's rich, forward tone was ever-present, whether going Crazy for You or floating Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Sensitivity to words played second fiddle to his galvanising climaxes.

The high points came with Susan Egan: she worked hard to connect with the lyrics, the orchestra and the audience, and had a voice equal to practically all she asked of it.

The orchestra was responsive to conductor Michael Krajewski's every sweep of the baton and spot on in pitching mood and style. They gave the Great American Songbook sterling service.