NOSTALGIA is a wonderful thing, and this musical tribute to the Black and White Minstrels must have stirred many memories for its capacity audience. It reminded one acquaintance of her courting days, and in my case took me back to the Sunday tea-times of my early teenage years when my parents would sing along to radio’s Sing Something Simple.
WMTS, looking splendid in white with sparkling silver (ladies) and red (men) waistcoats, took the audience on a fast-moving journey of over 40 numbers ranging from Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Meet Me In St Louis and Camptown Races to In the Good Old Summer Time, In the Light of the Silvery Moon and Let Me Call You Sweetheart. And if the company weren’t the best movers in the world they more than made up for it vocally, especially with the brilliant Basin Street Blues and If You Love Me, Really Love Me.
Part two of the evening brought the ever-excellent Purbeck Big Band, who soon had everyone clapping along to such delights as Mame, Hello Dolly, Singin’ In the Rain, Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Down By the Riverside and New York New York.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemout Daily Echo