Going to see the Osmonds is a bit like going to Disneyland.
You know it’s cheesy and schmaltzy, but once you’re there you don’t want to break the spell and you can’t imagine being anywhere else.
The behemoth of an American brand that is The Osmonds has never had any problems filling massive stadiums in the US, and three of the nine siblings - Merril, Jay and Jimmy - not only packed out the Worthing Assembly Hall but almost managed to recreate the sort of hysteria they did in 1974, when Love Me For A Reason was number one in the charts.
Legendary crooner Andy Williams championed the band on his show for seven years, and the show was done in the style of the great man’s Christmas specials, with plenty of Christmas cheer: backing singers and dancers in sparkly Santa outfits and a video backdrop screening the band’s original performances.
The all-singing, all-dancing, all-playing, wholesome-as-apple-pie American family has been entertaining the world for more than five decades now, and their slick showmanship was undeniable.
Jimmy carried the show (and yes he sang Long Haired Lover From Liverpool) and his between song banter, mainly good natured sibling raillery, was perfectly pitched.
All the hits, including Crazy Horses, Let Me In, The Proud One, were belted out alongside medleys of classic Christmas songs.
Williams would have been proud.
Five stars
* The Andy Williams Christmas Spectacular is also at Eastbourne's Congress Theatre on Tuesday, December 15. Call 01323 412000 for details
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