A Fitting Tribute To Songwriting Greatness

Richard Gere was probably in the wings of Leeds Grand Theatre last night having a good old chuckle as the hard-working cast of Save the Last Dance for Me sweated their way through yet another performance of the Mort / Doc inspired musical.

It featured Yanks - as I recall he was one of the very same in the identically titled movie (shot in Haworth I believe?) - and the overriding theme was that of an officer being a gentleman! Get my drift?

But it was fun if, at times, overly loud as in, my God I was nearly blown out of my seat in the first few bars of the opening number! Sensitive hearing? I think not, it was just too loud and if you adjust to that type of volume - and you do after a while - that's not good even if it does boost the fortunes of your local hearing aid clinic in these tough times!

Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman are credited with writing some of the great pop songs inspired by the 1950's and 60's including Viva Las Vegas, Sweets for my Sweet, A Teenager in Love, Can't Get Used to Losing You and Save the Last Dance for Me.

But few people appreciate the poignancy of the lyrics penned by 'Doc'. He was 12 years Shuman's senior and crippled by polio to the point that he had to use crutches. Too handicapped to even dance with his wife on their wedding day, Pomus' lyrics for Save the Last Dance for Me are tinged with sadness.

It was a powerful song writing union that produced some wonderful numbers, partly the result of the disparity in the duo's profile, young versus old, agility versus handicap.

And, last night, their work was strung together in a loose, extended medley with lyrics and great music anchoring a less than inspiring story of young love. But, then again, few probably went for the slushy story, although the Stalls were full of ladies! Was I trapped in a Footloose time warp?

With Lowestoft in Suffolk as the romantic backdrop, we watched as sisters Jennifer and Marie went on a caravan holiday, ate ice cream, eyed up the boys and yes, you've guessed it, pulled a Yank and an Italian stallion with a Brummie accent!

Marie fell for her GI, he just wanted a fling but then thought better of it and she was left heartbroken. Tears came to my eye; only the good one on the left, the glass one just misted up.

However, after my tears of laughter had subsided, I entered into the spirit of this lively, fun show where the music, its hard working cast, great costumes and musicianship made for a reet good, foot tapping neet!

This show is not to be taken seriously, but will leave you uplifted and gyrating in the finale like a demented bee keeper whose ready to rumble, sorry bumble! Go, it's fun, but take some earplugs!

Save the Last Dance for Me
Leeds Grand
7.30pm
Until Saturday June 18th, 2016