Wednesday, 27th August] Last night, London’s Adelphi Theatre was alive with excitement as West End superstar and lead of Mamma Mia!, Mazz Murray, delivered a breathtaking, sold-out performance celebrating the timeless music of Dusty Springfield, in Mazz Murray: The Music of Dusty Springfield. Presented by Cuffe & Taylor in association with Solo Agency, the evening was the second in a pair of triumphant tributes to one of Britain’s most beloved musical icons, following an equally spectacular show at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall last week.
Alongside the Novello Orchestra, Mazz brought Dusty’s classic hits to life, including ‘Son of a Preacher Man’, ‘I Only Want to Be with You’, and ‘You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me’. Her dynamic vocal range and heartfelt storytelling paid homage to Springfield’s extraordinary legacy while bringing her own unique charisma.
Adding an unforgettable surprise to the evening, Madeline Bell, legendary session singer and close friend of Dusty Springfield, joined Mazz on stage for a stunning duet of ‘Wishin’ and Hopin’. The audience erupted with applause as Bell, who herself is a celebrated artist and a key figure in Springfield’s career, brought her signature warmth and soul to the iconic song. This heartfelt moment created a palpable sense of connection to Dusty’s rich musical history.
The Adelphi Theatre’s sold-out performance was attended by a star-studded audience, with luminaries from the West End and beyond packing the venue. Guests included Hannah Waddingham, Alan Carr, Ruth Jones, Matt Lucas, Ruthie Henshall, Dame Arlene Philips, Vanessa Feltz, Wayne Sleep, William Roche, and many more.
On stage, Mazz Murray spoke passionately about her love for Dusty Springfield, saying: ‘She was often quite insecure about herself, but if only she knew how admired and adored she is so many decades later…we only want to be with you Dusty.’ Her connection to the music was palpable, drawing the audience into a heartfelt celebration of Dusty’s soulful sound and enduring influence.
The show ended with an absolute powerhouse rendition of ‘Son of a Preacher Man’, which brought the entire crowd to its feet. But not only was this an incredible performance for Mazz, but also a very special birthday, and fans celebrated the singer’s big day with a collective chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ as she walked off stage.
The evening solidified the series as a highlight this year for fans of timeless music and extraordinary talent.
About Mazz Murray
Mazz Murray has been the star of the West End’s Mamma Mia for the past ten years, and has been making her mark on British musical theatre since 1994. She has taken on some of the most iconic roles in the West End including Matron Mama Morton in Chicago, Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, Maureen in Rent, and Dusty Springfield in A Girl Called Dusty. Mazz’s voice echoes through albums like Sweet Charity, Chicago, and Fiddler on the Roof. Beyond theatre, she has a successful music career as a member of the rock group Woman, which debuted with chart-topper ’I’m A Woman’, featuring Brian May, and has toured as the support act to Earth Wind and Fire and Billy Ocean. Mazz is also an accomplished solo artist, debuting in 2018 with her album Midnight Mazz and her 2023 single ‘The Winner Takes it All Remix’. Mazz also featured as a special guest judge on ITV’s Mamma Mia: I Have a Dream on 26th November, 2023, the hit show which discovered the next Sophie for Mamma Mia!.
About Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield has been acknowledged around the world as the best female soul singer that Britain ever produced. With her rich, unique voice, she racked up a string of hits from the 1960s onwards. Inspired by Phil Spector's "wall of sound", Dusty recorded her first pop song ’I Only Want to Be with You’ in 1963. It reached No. 4 in the charts and was the first song played on the new BBC TV pop show Top of the Pops (1964). The sixties brought a steady succession of top-ten hits and Dusty used her platform to get little-known American soul singers a better audience in the United Kingdom, which led to her own show The Sound of Motown (1965). In the late 1960s, she moved to America and produced the seminal album Dusty in Memphis. Her influence echoes throughout modern music, and she has served as an inspiration to generations of singers from all over the world.