Review: "SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME" John Michael Swinbank, with Marie Sermon (piano), at School Of Arts Cafe, October 1996. Reviewed by TONY MAGEE

Concert and Cabaret artist John Michael Swinbank together with accompanist Marie Sermon presented a mostly enjoyable selection of the songs of Noel Coward at the School Of Arts Cafe. Such numbers as Bad Times Just Around the Corner, Uncle Harry, A Bar On the Picola Marina, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Nina and Let's Do It to name just a few, were stylishly portrayed. 

In general, I think that Coward has the potential to be uproariously funny, outrageous, supremely witty, sometimes melancholy and just plain good fun. I don't feel that this  show ever really achieved these levels and I feel that the main factor here is that John Michael really can't decide whether he's actually playing Coward himself, or himself singing the songs of Coward - a big difference, and this 'middle ground' approach only served to make some of the numbers quite unconvincing, particularly Mrs Worthington, I Wonder What happened to Him and I Went To A Marvellous Party.

However, many numbers were set-up by some most eloquently delivered monologues which did help a great deal to keep the Cowardish mood flowing. A nice touch.

Pianist Marie Sermon provided stylised and appropriate accompaniment and in fact the two artists are a great musical union - something to be cherished by both performers. 

The program finished with a nice rendition of I'll See You Again. On the whole, an enjoyable but not sensational cabaret act.

Originally published in Muse Magazine, November 1996