Vera Lynn Recalled More Than The Past

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 18

Vera Lynn Recalled More Than The Past

For the audience which packed the Majestic Theatre last evening, the voice of Vera Lynn revived the past—the war years, when the “sweetheart of the forces” sang of the new world to come when the lights of London shone again. Her voice is as rich and warm as ever, and her songs —“I’ll Pray for You,” “Lili Marlene,” “Auf Wiederseh’n” —clearly had lost none of their appeal. Her listeners applauded each favourite as it was announced, and sang along with her with a readiness which would make the average Christchurch teenage audience seem stodgy in comparison.

Though there were many “good-bye” songs, and allusions to the grim days of the blitz, there was always the assurance that “blue skies” would “drive the dark clouds far away.” This added a touch of irony to a nostalgic evening. “There’ll be love and laughter, and peace ever after, tomorrow when the world is free. . . .” Vera Lynn recalled more than the past: she recalled the pre-atomic age, when such sentiments were expressed sincerely, and not Kubrick-style as “sick” jokes. Eddie Calvert, “the man with the golden trumpet,” joined Vera Lynn in several items, including a surprisingly successful version of Lennon’s and McCartney’s “Yesterday.” A tribute to trumpeters from the 1920 s to the present day demonstrated his versatility, and also included his greatest Lit, “Oh My Papa.” The virtuoso piece, however, was an arrangement of Falla’s “Ritual Fire Dance,” played with dexterity and taste. A French magician, Pier Cartier, was not only mystifying but humorous, while the compere, Peter Goodwright, had a supply of jokes as apparently inexhaustible as Mr Cartier’s hidden source of cigarettes and banknotes. The trio which accompanied

Vera Lynn and Eddie Calvert deserved a mention in the programme, surely. Their backing was faultless; and Schubert’s “Taxation” Symphony was one of the highlights of the concert.