Bonnie Langford is one of those households names that everyone, of any age just seems to know. Her career has spanned fifty years and she doesn’t show any sign of slowing down yet, currently appearing the BBC Eastenders as Carmel Kazemi for the past year. From Doctor Who, to the original film of Bugsy Malone and in more recent years Dancing on Ice, everyone knows Bonnie from something and no one can argue she is a true star.
For one night only, March 31 2016, Bonnie went from Albert Square to Leicester Square to perform in front of friends and fans, paying homage to her incredible career. The audience were treated to hilarious anecdotes such as her earliest critic at the age of seven, when Noel Coward himself suggested “the little girl in the stage show of Gone With The Wind (Bonnie) should have her throat cut”! Other stories of the night included memories of playing Baby June in Gypsy alongside Angela Lansbury and a brilliant run through of the Bonnie Langford Wikipedia page online to reveal the plethora of credits to her name (some less memorable than others).
Bonnie’s guest duet performers for the evening were Anton du Beke from Strictly Come Dancing, who gave an incredible performance of Lets Face The Music And Dance, really showcasing Bonnie’s dance capabilities and Eastenders co-star Danny Boy Hatchard who sang Cant Take My Eyes Off Of You. Musical numbers and wonderful mash-ups included theatre favourites from Gypsy, Chicago and Cats (sadly no Diva’s Lament from Spamalot, a favourite of mine) and classic pop songs Downtown, Think, A Little Respect, and Rollin’ On A River.
Bonnie Langford has it all and is a real triple threat with incredible vocals, stunning dance moves and above all a comedic warmth and charm that makes you love her. A powerhouse performer of pint-sized proportions!
Reviewed by West End Wilma
Photo: Darren Bell
For more information on Bonnie Langford visit www.bonnielangford.co.uk
Read my recent interview with Bonnie here
