“Gonna Take A Sentimental journey”

“Gonna take, a Sentimental Journey” - sang Annika Rands as she launched her Doris Day tribute show in Ipswich.

Doris Day was the darling of the USA for decades, with dozens of hit films, mostly musicals, and hit records.

Annika, from Ipswich, has packed many of Doris’ favourite songs into her new show; Doris Day; A Sentimental Journey.

It was a show full of nostalgia with many songs than people in the audience knew.

It was surprising just how many of these lyrics we were able to sing along to, having grown up seeing the films on television and hearing the songs on the radio.

Glamorous Annika launched the new show, with a live band and staging, at the Holiday Inn Ipswich Orwell, and received a standing ovation from two enthusiastic audiences.

Annika, who has travelled the world entertaning on cruise ships, has written and produced the show, which tells the story of the life and loves of a screen legend.

Today Doris is in her 90s and dedicated to her animal charity work and retired from entertainment, she said.

Though her music lives on, with many favourite songs and standards, that are known by generations.

Many people don’t even know they are Doris Day songs.

Songs like Secret Love, Que Sera, Sera, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Move Over Darling, Secret Love, I’ll Never Stop Loving You, Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps and Dream A Little Dream of Me were packed into the show.

There was also a Calamity Jane sequence including Deadwood Stage and Just Blew In From the Windy City, with the singer switching to a western costume.

In between the songs Annika tells of the hidden pain in Doris’ life, of her failed marriages and controlling men.

It was a real contrast with the love she found as the girl-next-door heroine in many of her big box office films.

After her performances Annika said: “I am convinced I have got a winner here.

“It can be presented as a full stage show, with a live band, or with backing tracks as a one hour tribute show for smaller venues.

“I have received a lot of great feedback and I already have some bookings and enquiries.

“I am hoping to tour seaside venues and theatres around the country in the spring and summer.

“I am convinced it is a perfect show for that, including matinee performances in the holiday season.”

She added: “A lot of people have helped me put my launch nights together, and I am very grateful to them.”

www.dorisdaytributeuk.com