FROM the very back of the Grand Theatre, it could have been Robbie Williams himself.

The shock of black hair, the cheeky grin, the mannerisms, the wisecracks, the wacky dance steps – Robbie impersonator JK looked and acted so much like the real thing, he could have fooled even the keenest eye into believing he really was.

Close-up it's a different story, but from distance – and taking into account that my vision isn't the best – this was the most accurate likeness I have ever seen from a musical tribute act.

But looking like Robbie Williams and being able to perform like him, and hold a packed audience in the palm of his hand just like the consummate modern-day live entertainer has done time and again at Knebworth, Live 8 and beyond, are two completely different kettles of fish.

He looked a little unsure at the start. A 15-minute delay due to sound
problems didn't help, as JK bounded onto stage and launched a little
nervously into 'Let Me Entertain You'.

At first, he seemed to lack the real Robbie's overpowering charisma and ability to work the entire stage from end-to-end.

Turns out he just needed some time to warm up. By his third song, 'Hot Fudge' off the Robster's best ever album 'Escapology', JK was exuding all the cocky confidence of the real Mr Williams.

Within minutes almost the entire audience was on its feet, singing, clapping and swaying along to classics like 'Feel', 'Strong' and 'Millennium'.

"Come on Lancaster, bounce!" he yelled at one point, which was perhaps bad advice to those of us in the balcony, which felt on the verge of collapse from the vigorous pounding of feet.

But the stalls survived this mini-earthquake and in the second-half, JK turned the boundless energy down a notch for a series of songs from the 'Swing When You're Winning' album.

Dapper in a tux, he pulled this off perfectly, assisted by the excellent backing band. With his rendition of 'My Way', in particular, he showed he might actually have a better voice than THE Robbie.

Then he finished off a fantastic evening's entertainment with 'She's The One', 'Kids', 'Suspicious Minds', 'Rock DJ' and of course, 'Angels'.

In between JK engaged in some typical Robbie banter with the audience, at one point inviting Carol Kitching from Carnforth – who he said was one of his most devoted fans – onto stage for a cuddle mid-song. Then afterwards he stayed behind and signed merchandise for his fans, where he probably had to fend off a few propositions from the predominantly female audience. Overall this was tremendous fun, a recreation of a Robbie Williams live show that was about as true-to-life as it can possibly get.

With 200 people apparently on a waiting list, and with the Grand's bar facilities perhaps a little small and genteel to cope with the deluge of 'hen night' types this kind of gig attracts (there were a few excitable 'ladies' being far too pushy, rude and rowdy at the bar – this was the Grand Theatre after all, not Blackpool at closing time), I personally would like to see the bigger Dome book 'One Night of Robbie' should JK return to our area in future.

But in the meantime, the Grand deserves much credit for staging such a marvellous Saturday night out – one of two sell-out, high quality shows at the theatre last weekend.
Tributes can be hit-and-miss, but JK as Robbie Williams was definitely a big, big hit.

The Visitor


Original Review Link

JK as Robbie review Mr Kyps live music venue 2008

Well, Mr Kyps, what an absolutely fantastic night on Saturday. JK as Robbie Williams. Had heard so much about this guy and he more than exceeded our expectations and some. He was beyond total brilliance. True to form we got there early to savour the atmosphere that could only be Mr Kyps - the special ambience as soon as you walk through the door. Then, when I couldn’t stand the excitement any longer and I was about to go backstage and drag him out myself, he appeared.

I could not believe what I was seeing. Mr Robbie Williams had just entered the building. OK, so, we have the look, wonder what he sings like? Opening song, Let Me Entertain You, say no more, blew me away.

A bit of Robbie banter with the audience, blimey he even talks like him. The perfect Robbie smirk, the cheeky eying up the audience, the waddling along the stage, this is getting silly, he even has his mannerisms down to a tee. He then reeled off hit after hit to perfection – a mixture of his own stuff and the swing classics. The audience were going wild. What a show. He was on stage for nearly 2 hours non-stop, that’s one hell of a performance.

So, believe everything you read about JK, he is awesome. If you are a Robbie fan and have not got round to seeing JK perform yet, keep an eye out for his next visit to Mr Kyps and make sure you put it in your diary, you will not be disappointed !!!

Review by: Paul Wheeler