Adelaide Fringe

Fringe Review: Buddy Diamond 1960-A Night at The Stardust

Andy Seymour performs as Buddy Diamond, the crooner who’s “so cool, he’s hot”.

Presented by Andy Seymour
Reviewed 24th  February 2018

Andy Seymour is a veteran performer.  Right from his opening number Reet Petite, he gave the audience pretty much what they wanted: good music and terrible jokes.
I must admit I was expecting a more thematic evening: possibly a recreation of The Stardust in 1960. It really was just Andy Seymour doing another show.

He moved through the expected numbers such as  Beyond the Sea, Big Hunk O’ Love, Old Black Magic and Mack the Knife.  He gave his excellent band a chance for an instrumental and they delivered a rousing version of the standard Caravan, which then descended into some unnecessary shtick with Seymour joining in the drum solo. Particularly nice was his delivery of Misty, done in the style of Johnny Mathis. Seymour also performed a couple of original songs, demonstrating his obvious song-writing talent.

Seymour’s humour is dated and unoriginal: I’ve heard every joke he told. And yet the audience just loved it. He clearly performs to a particular demographic. But working with a good director might bring his material some broader appeal.

Even given that this was meant to be a comedic evening, Seymour’s contemptuous take on Guy Mitchell’s Singing the Blues was cringe-worthy. Sing the songs; make the jokes. But don’t ever lose respect for the music. It’s extraordinary that in 2018 we can still be making “yee haw” jokes about country music.

Seymour slightly redeemed himself with a solid version of Cochrane’s Twenty-Flight Rock and finished the night with Summertime Blues.

Andy Seymour is a big stage presence, and clearly a hard-working performer who has paid his dues.

All respect to that.

Check out Andy’s website here.

Venue:  Showroom One at The German Club
Season:  Closed
Duration:  75 minutes

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