Mickey and Jan Rooney - Let’s Put on a Show

JONATHAN REDHEAD

Marina Theatre, Lowestoft

Nothing prepares for the sudden appearance of Mickey Rooney's sprightly form as he steps briskly onto the stage to tumultuous applause.

The diminutive octogenarian stood smiling as wave after wave of applause washed over him - and the show hadn't even started.

Let's Put on a Show is a semi-autobiographical one-man, one-woman production.

Their special guest, comedian Martin Gold, had the audience in stitches in the first half. He was playing in the presence of a master, for one of our best-loved comedians, Roy Hudd, was in the audience waiting to see his hero Mickey Rooney.

A series of black and white clips of Boys Town, Babe in Arms and others gave us a brief look back over the years to when young Rooney's career began.

The jokes about his many marriages came thick and fast, interspersed with the story of his acting career.

Rooney sang a number of songs, including I'll Take Manhattan, then he and Jan sang duets, including I Remember it Well and Let's Call the Whole Thing off.

I got the feeling this was the last chance we will get to see this grand old man of stage and screen treading the boards.