Julian… and Friends at The Alban Arena**** (From Watford Observer)

Julian… and Friends at The Alban Arena****

3:37pm Tuesday 19th October 2010 in Reviews

Last Sunday I attended fundraising concert for the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. I was told the performers had all been on primetime TV last year, and were a saxophonist from the Birmingham Conservatoire, a young ballad singer and two ballroom dancers. And a Greek man and his son doing a topless Riverdance.

The Britan’s Got Talent stars Julian Smith, Ben & Becky, Shaun Smith and, of course, Stavros Flatley, wowed a packed Alban Arena.

Saxophonist Julian headlined the two-hour show, and played melodies such as Hero with a three-piece band, shared anecdotes about his time with Simon Cowell and introduced the other acts. Even with a lost voice, Julian played brilliantly and got a well-deserved ovation from the crowd.

Next up was dancing duo Ben and Becky. The teenagers went on Britain’s Got Talent to show the nation ballroom dancing wasn’t stuffy and boring, and they certainly accomplished that here. Their high-energy routines, stunning costumes and big smiles got a fantastic reception from the audience, and they returned for a salsa set in the second half that they clearly loved performing.

Julian introduced the next performer as a “young, handsome rugby player who’s also a great singer”, to the delight of the vast majority of the female members of the audience. Shaun Smith, 18, sang the Bill Withers classic that took him through Britain’s Got Talent, Ain’t No Sunshine, and got the audience on their feet with Black and Gold.

During the interval, Shaun said: “Since Britain’s Got Talent, I’ve had the best experience of my life. I’m so lucky. Tonight has been amazing, and it’s always nice to give something back.”

The fourth and final act was the undoubted highlight of the evening. Stavros Flatley galloped onto the stage to cheers of delight from the crowd, accompanying the several professional dancers already there. Their short but hilariously memorable routine left everyone breathless - particularly Dimitri and Lagi themselves.

I spoke to Dimitri before the show about his amazing success.

“We went on the show for a laugh, and it’s a living for us now. I’ve no idea what the future holds for us, apart from stopping at McDonald’s on the way home!”

The evening ended with Stavros inviting the audience to stand and sway along to their last number, before they flung their wigs into the crowd.

The audience then had the chance to meet all of the performers for autographs and photo opportunities.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital say the event aimed to raise £6,000 for a new cardiac centre.

Fundraising manager Sarah Newby says: “Currently patients across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire have to travel long distances for treatment at other hospitals, so we are hoping to open a cardiac centre (at the L&D) with an appeal launching tonight. The show was fantastic, and watch this space for more fundraising events to come.”

Michael Dias