By Lesley Tudor

On a miserable Saturday evening, after all my plans for the day had been ruined by the torture that is the North East weather; it had left myself and my significant other in a distinctly grey mood and we needed a pick-me-up, something to rescue our disappearing weekend and our worsening moods.

Luckily there was a plan, and I have to admit, having more than just a suspicion of what was to come, I knew my day was about to end on a high.

Back through popular demand, and playing yet again to a sell out crowed, Jason Isaacs, the North East’s very own King of Swing, backed by the Dave Connolly Big Band were about to lift the spirits, and almost the roof, of the Newcastle Tyne Theatre and the swingers which flocked to the place in their droves.

It is impossible to remain despondent when a person with such energy and charisma takes to the stage to the sounds of a 25 piece Big Band, remaining on stage (less a short gap in the middle for a costume change and a whisky and dry ginger) for no less than two hours.

And all the while singing with a voice equal to any of today’s crooners and who could even give the ole’ boys a run for their money, not once hitting an off note.

The band were tremendous, their music was irresistibly toe tapping, making you appreciate the quality and joy live performances can bring.

And Isaacs has only to appear on stage to fill the room with a buzz of anticipation and excitement.

Not only crooning out timeless hit after timeless hit, he also changed his tempo to entertain with a snatch of rock and roll with classics from Elvis and bizarrely, yet somehow managing to pull it off with a swing style all of its own, Wonderwall by Oasis!

Throw in a bit of audience participation to help with the backing tracks, a couple of saxophone solos and a jamming session to Gerswin's Summertime, you have yourself a hit show.

And not only a hit show but a one where the audience who were on their feet dancing in the isles singing at the tops of their voices yelled for more, even after the final encore, until Isaacs returned to the stage to repeat songs already sung.

With the venues increasing in size with every gig he performs due to the sheer demand of those wanting to see him, it won’t be long until he has a night at the Sage Music Hall where I can guarantee you he will be in his absolute element.

I have seen the BBC Big Band and can say hand on heart that The Dave Connolly Big Band are just as good, if not better, as they seem to better bond as a group, feeling for the tempo and pace and meeting one another’s requests with perfect timing, rhythm and professionalism.

You couldn’t ask to listen to a better singer and watch a better performer than Isaacs.

On stage he comes alive, he is on fire, you can see the look of enjoyment and excitement in his face, if there are nerves you’d never know, with a steady voice and a cheeky grin he is a born entertainer, blessed with a singing voice to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

Leaving the theatre it mattered very little that the rain still hung in the air, the high volume of chat and singing which emulated through the open doors onto the streets of Newcastle said all that needed to be said: “That was sheer class!".

Relevant links

Interview: Jason Isaacs

Register for North East news