The following article appeared in "The Irish News" in September 2002.
Joanna Braniff talks to singer Barbara Dickson about 'One Enchanted Evening' which is to be staged in The Odyssey next month.
Barbara Dickson is something of an institution and I'm sure she would not mind being described as such as she has been part of the glitzy world of West End musicals for many years, although she assures me that she started very young!
Her talents have extended not only to the theatre stage, but also the pop charts and the small screen with her acclaimed performance in 'Band Of Gold'.
Barbara enjoyed chart success with the classic 'I Know Him So Well', sung with Elaine Paige, from the hit musical"Chess", having already carved a hugely successful pop career with hits like 'Answer Me' and 'Another Suitcase In Another Hall' (from "Evita").
She received a Society of West End Theatres Award for 'Best Actress In A Musical' - for the role she made her own as Mrs Johnstone in "Blood Brothers" and in 1999 she received an Olivier Award for her role as Viv Nicholson in "Spend Spend Spend".
In a few weeks local audiences will have the opportunity to see her perform when she takes to the stage in Peter Corry's musical extravaganza "One Enchanted Evening" at the Odyssey Arena on October 4.
Barbara says : "I'm delighted to be returning to Belfast to perform alongside such a fabulous bill of Broadway and West End stars in "One Enchanted Evening". The audiences there are so warm and welcoming! This particular show is just such an exciting project - as soon as I heard about it I knew it is going to be one those really special nights - and I want to be part of that!"
"One Enchanted Evening" is the natural progression following on from Peter Corry's ambitious runaway success in bringing the West End hit "Les Miserables" to the Odyssey last September.
"Peter has a busy national and international schedule but he feels very strongly that Northern Ireland is a superb venue, providing an exciting and welcoming platform for national and international stars to perform on. Once again he has pulled out all the stops to treat audiences here to the cream of West End and Broadway talent and all our favourite songs from the musicals.
"Last years "Les Miserables" was just such a spectacular event - everyone on stage and all of the choir and audience were really moved by the whole occasion and I was inundated by requests for a follow-up.
"I am very glad to say that "One Enchanted Evening" has been designed to be of the same very high standard - providing an exciting opportunity for a local audience to experience an intoxicating mixture of the West End and Broadway on their own home soil."
Barbara loves performing in Belfast but she has not been there in eight years and on her return she was thrilled and surprised by the positive changes and developments that the city has recently experienced.
"It is great to see the prosperity of Belfast, the city is really coming into its own. I love the fact that this Odyssey venue is here as it is a symbol of the renaissance of the city. Having had such a large gap between my visits I can see a fantastic difference.
"This venue is just wonderful and I am so looking forward to taking part in this show. It promises to be great night as there will be lots of children taking part and the big choir and I love being a member of the cast of such a big project".
As Barbara discussed the show you got the sense that she has a genuine sense of affection for Belfast and she is keen to share her feelings with her local fans.
"With no disrespect to the project, the fact that it was taking place in Belfast really sold it to me because I love being here and it is nice to take part with all these people who live locally and I hope the event is a great success".
