Review: Anita Harris, Sheppey Little Theatre, Sheerness

An Evening with Anita Harris at the Sheppey Little Theatre in Sheerness on Saturday (Feb 25) was quite a surreal experience.

The pop singer and former Carry On film actress was once one of Britain’s top stars with the loveliest legs in showbusiness.

She worked with Sid James and Frankie Howerd, appeared on stage with Tommy Cooper at the London Palladium, toured the world entertaining the troops with Sir Harry Secombe, performed magic with David Nixon, sang on Top of the Pops with Dusty Springfield and wowed families with her portrayal of Peter Pan.

Yet here she was on a cold, dark February night sharing a tiny stage with pianist Peter Gill for a handful of die-hard fans or just the downright curious. Unkinder commentators might wonder how the mighty had fallen.

But this old trooper refused to short-change anyone. She might be 74 but the years rolled away as she shimmered in the spotlight with her sylphlike frame packaged in a silver and black dress.

Many women of a certain age would run a mile at the thought of wearing such a glamorous costume but glamour is Anita’s middle name. Her fans expect nothing less than the full razzamatazz. So there she was, looking like a 1920s flapper, flashing those famous pins, eyes and teeth and wearing top hat and tails.

Yes, her voice was a little shaky at times but incredibly she reached pretty much all the high notes. There was even a few dance moves as she outlined her life from Bournemouth teenage ice-skater to box-office beauty via Las Vegas chorus girl using a video screen of old photos.

The night was packed with anecdotes, like the Carry On camel from Chessington Zoo which didn’t like sand, how she met music producer Mike Margolis who became her husband and music hall numbers such as Burlington Bertie from Bow in a tribute to her days as a Good Old Days’ favourite.

There were songs from her musicals Chicago and Cats and a preview of her latest TV venture, The Casebook of Verity Lake dubbed the Drury Lane Detective.

The only question which needs answering is how can she still entertain like she does?

* Kent fans have another chance to see Anita Harris at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs, on March 19.