KNOWING that Jill McCrae and Becci Benson spent their formative years learning with Kentwood Choir principal Sheila Harrod, I was sure before I even ventured into the Arts Centre that my daughter and I were in for a treat.

The pair, who met when they were children, formed CraeSon in 2004, singing as a duo in different venues around the Swindon area.

Sheila Harrod played piano superbly for them for this production and adding Russell Langdown and Steven Coleman to the mix was indeed a double delight.

Becci has a voice to die for. Whenever she came onto the stage to sing I knew I could just sit back and relax.

I’m not sure if Jill had a cold on the night or whether she was pushing her chest register just above its limit, as occasionally her voice cracked. When she sang more sedately her voice was good too.

Musical theatre has been brought into the spotlight with television programmes looking for the next male or female lead going into the West End.

I have been privileged in Swindon to review many shows whose leading ladies and gentlemen have the voices to match some of those stars, and there were many moments when I thought that watching this show.

We were treated to songs from some of the classic musicals such as Oliver! and more recent hits such as Rent and Wicked.

The Miss Saigon section was my personal favourite of the night; well one of them anyway.

Russell’s Mack the Knife brought the house down, as did Becci’s Tell Me It’s Not True. I also enjoyed Jill’s What If, from A Christmas Carol. I could go on but there isn’t room.

I doubt there are many pianists in Swindon who could have played these scores as Sheila did, especially the very difficult King of the World from Songs For A New World sung brilliantly by Steve Coleman, with Andy Griffiths on drums and Tracy Absolom on bass.

This was Jill and Becci’s first venture into performing to a sell out audience at the Arts Centre. With many singers in the audience, it must have been very daunting. Did they succeed? Most definitely I’d say.

I for one will be looking out for this quartet’s next venture. You should too.


ROS HOLLANDS