Let’s Misbehave, presented by Carole Trench, Anthony Stonier and Evan Roberts, had its first run at the Royal Hotel’s Backstage about six months ago and it was such a success that the management invited them back again for this current season.

Everything was on track until the end of September when Anthony Stonier had a near fatal accident which seriously damaged his back. Medical prognosis was alarming – a back brace for at least six weeks and the avoidance of the sitting position. Rather problematic for a pianist!

However, Anthony has not reached his level of professionalism by ducking responsibility and has shown much courage and determination in his decision to continue with the show. While it may very well keep his spine upright, the restrictive nature of his brace also seriously hampers the kind of breathing a singer needs to employ in a show such as this.

The rather splendid-looking and skilfully-designed brace with its stainless steel centre support and massive back strapping is not in evidence as Anthony’s elegant long-sleeved black top covers it. So it’s possible that those in the audience unaware of the background story will simply observe that his movements are stiffer than normal. Otherwise, it’s business as usual and his immaculate diction lends itself to numbers such as Uncle Harry and a delicious I Never Do Anything Twice, given an added twist as it is normally sung by a female. His lusty and dramatic La Cage aux Folles was a showstopper.

Carol Trench just gets better and better and there seems to be no musical style in which she doesn’t shine. As in the first season, her Class is simply stunning and she’s just as good in Let’s Misbehave, Santa Baby and Mrs Ball’s.

Thanks to sponsorship from Musikland, the Backstage sports an extra piano along with the in-house baby grand which means that Anthony Stonier can accompany maestro and music director, the extraordinarily-talented Evan Roberts. Their amusing musical duel I Love a Piano is exhilarating and in Baby, It’s Cold Outside with Carol, Evan shows that he can be as sultry and provocative as the best of them!

The three have an excellent working and performance relationship, and the show’s a good blend of their various vocal ranges. Their reworking of Let’s Do It was a great favourite. This is a show in an international class and is well worth a visit.

The only sour point of the evening is the irritating clack of a faulty pedal mechanism on the Royal’s piano which has now grown to intrusive proportions and tends to mar some of the quieter numbers.

Tickets include a three-course meal. For starters there’s a delicious Asparagus, Mushroom and Leek Ragout and the other option is a delicately pickled Calamari Salad. I’m a bit wary of the Royal’s Ulundi Chef’s Traditional Lamb Curry, it’s for those who like their curry fairly hot and spicy. So I opted for the Wok-Fried Chicken Strips with Pineapple and Ginger which was most enjoyable. For dessert there’s a Royal favourite, Crème Caramel with Citrus Syrup. Book through the Royal Reservations on (031) 333-6000.