S’Wonderful to have you back, Elaine

Interview by Dawn Bond

Busy singer Elaine Delmar returns to the Palace Theatre, Newark, February 19 at 7.30pm with a new show.

Last year she took to the stage with Todd Gordon paying homage to the music of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

Now Elaine is back with S’Wonderful, De-Lovely to perform an evening of songs by two of the most prolific and popular composers of the 20th Century — George Gershwin and Cole Porter.

Her wide experience in cabaret and the theatre very much influence her interpretations of songs like I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Summertime, Strike Up The Band, Begin The Beguine, Let’s Do It, Night And Day and Everytime We Say Goodbye.

Elaine said: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to Newark and performing at the Palace, singing some of my favourite songs.

“Gershwin and Porter are two of the most popular composers of the 20th Century, offering a feast of material for the show. There are so many pieces it is difficult knowing what to leave out.

“Before each song I tell the audience a little bit about the number and the composers.”

Elaine’s father, Leslie Jiver Hutchinson, was a trumpet player and she started singing with his band when she was still at school.

“I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life,” she said.

Elaine served her apprenticeship singing in cabaret and jazz clubs, and has worked on cruise ships. She performs all around the world.

She starred in the 1974 Ken Russell film called Mahler and has appeared in many musicals.

She said: “Over Christmas I was singing in Mexico and recently I have been to Madeira, Los Angeles and Tahiti. I will be jetting in to Newark from New Zealand for the show.

“I would love to tour with Todd Gordon again one day but I am away so much as I do a lot of touring but I will make sure it happens.”