GOOD FRIENDS Joe Longthorne and Darren Day at Viva

Published 12 August 2014

There aren’t many nights where you can be treated to Take That, Cliff Richard and Stevie Wonder with a dash of Les Mis all at once.

But that barely scratches the surface of Viva’s Sunday night show this summer.

Originally a residency for local legend Joe Longthorne, several of his showbiz pals have stepped in to create That’s What Friends Are For as he recovers from throat cancer surgery last month.

Headlining is Darren Day, the once squeeky clean pop heartthrob then tabloid-dubbed love rat who has rebuilt his life and career.

Known mainly as a musical theatre performer, with leads in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Summer Holiday, Darren also has a neat line in impressions - something he readily credits Joe for having inspired him in, hence being treated to such a diverse line-up all in one show.

After a first half, opened by Viva host Leye D Johns and the Viva Showgirls, with music from Carol Kaye, Tracey Jordan and Andy Mudd, who did an impressive Billy Joel set, Darren took to the stage - winning over the many dedicated Joe fans in the audience with his charming manner.

Impression highlights of his hour-long set included gags as Billy Connolly and Ronnie Corbett and songs as Gary Barlow - a clean vocal, as well as caricature renditions from his band mates Mark Owen and Robbie Williams, and an uncanny Liam Gallagher. Classic impressions included Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis, all greeted with smiles and laughs of recognition.

But it was his vocal prowess which most impressed. Who knew he could knock out musical classics Bring Him Home from Les Miserables and This Is The Moment from Jekyll And Hyde quite so well?

I was surprised when he said he was offered the role of Jean Valjean in Les Mis a few years back, and would agree he probably doesn’t have the stamina or skill to sustain that level for eight shows a week.

And a large standing ovation brought the set to an end, after a duet of tear-jerker candle song Wind Beneath My Wind with Joe, recorded days before his operation. Although Joe wasn’t there in person, his presence was very much felt throughout the show thanks to various artists’ tributes throughout.

That’s What Friends Are For, Viva, Church Street, Blackpool, Sundays 7.30pm. Call 01253 297297.