DON'T ASK THE LADY...! starring the inimitable Julie Ross, is one of the best one woman musical shows to be seen London this year, and should not be missed.

Produced by All Star Productions, with Aaron Clingham on the piano, it celebrates the work of 20th Century Female Songwriters, many of whom have succeeded by gritty determination in a male dominated musical world where song writing was not considered ‘woman’s work.’

Ross is a regular face at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, and has appeared in productions such as Company, Follies and numerous Sondheim concerts. Dressed in an elegant black number, she oozes charisma as she strolls on stage singing a cheeky little number about a woman with a dubious past called Don’t Ask The Lady. From that moment on the audience are with her, as she mesmerises them with numbers that explore a rollercoaster of emotions. There is no microphone, Ross doesn’t need one, we are in the hands of a professional, and her voice has the power and vocal dynamics to reach everyone.

With a very witty self- written script she shows off her comedic skills as she introduces the  unknown, and also very famous women of song. The evening is an education as Ross goes through a line up of female lyricists and composers of songs that I had no idea had a ‘woman’s touch.’ She shows spot-on timing with Betty Comden’s pre –Sondheim style lyrics If You Hadn’t But You Did, and Shattered Illusions . She is equally at home with searching numbers like My Brother Lived in San Francisco, and Other Lady. The personal discovery for me that night was the work of Amanda Mcbroom, whose perceptive contributions to Errol Flynn and No Fear I found original and thrilling.

Many of the carefully selected choices are from shows, and they work because Ross is a fine actress as she is a vocalist.  She doesn’t just sing she interprets. I have always loved the melody of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now but never quite understood the lyric. But in the hands of Ross’s heartfelt vocals that seem to reflect life experience, the meaning became clear, and it brought tears to my eyes.   

Don’t Ask The Lady, was a one-off treat at the Ye Odle Rose and Crown, but the show is always available for future bookings at other venues.  For more information please visit Julie’s website at: www.julie-ross.com

OLIVER VALENTINE