I need to start by saying that 80-year-old war songs are not my thing. Heck, I even performed in a Wartime/VE Day celebratory showcase once and still, that genre wasn’t my thing. Even more; I loathe Christmas, so attending D-Day Darlings on December 23 did not bode well for me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t write objectively, and if anything, offer an honest appraisal with no personal bias.
A Google search tells you The D-Day Darlings are a choir. A bit of a short sell, if I’m honest, because on the evidence I saw, they are so much more than that. Performers with song and dance, humour and audience interaction. Excellent voices with a professionalism delivering an amazing sound welcomed by all, including me, as it turned out.
Launching off the wartime tunes with The Dam Busters, many staple songs were there to follow: White Cliffs of Dover, Pack Up Your Troubles, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Keep the Home Fires Burning, I’ll be Seeing You, A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and the ultimate Vera Lynne tribute — We’ll Meet Again. There were original numbers as well, including a lovely number titled, Mary, which shows versatility in branching out from the traditional. And I do admit to liking a bit of Glen Miller, so I especially enjoyed In the Mood.
And Christmas was well and truly represented: Little Donkey, Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire and White Christmas were all performed with excellence and received with deserved applause. Best of all, though, of yuletide fun, was a version of Santa Baby with (ahem!) audience engagement which brought the house down.
The Darlings rose to fame as the UKs premier wartime act after reaching the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 and now boast over 28,000 Facebook followers. The show I attended was also near full consisting of all ages, bearing out that there is still a definite market for this product.
On the night, The D-Day Darlings were founder member, Katie Ashbey supported by Emily Jane Brooks, Nichola Roberts, Kylie Bates and Jessica Hudson. All were wonderful with both formal, colourful and Christmassy costumes. I was the designated driver for my partner on this evening and originally only attended on the promise of a Ghost Hunt of my choice. But don’t tell her — I still enjoyed myself. The outfit are touring again in 2023 and I highly recommend a trip to see them. You may find you like it.
Cheers.
Antony N Britt - Author 