CAPTION: CREDIT FOX THEATRE
By Dan Deming
Neither men or women who are 77 years old are supposed to be able to dance across a stage, sing with a strong voice, joke, inter-act and generally successfully entertain an audience for 90 minutes. An Englishman named Peter Noone with the help of a talented band of four others is an exception.
Noone is what’s left of the original Herman’s Hermits at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre and the remains from when they started more than four decades ago, breaking-up not that many years later. It was a repeat performance for Noone and the new backup hermits since they had impressed local Fox-goers last year. Judging from enthusiasm and hand waving shown by the many that shared Noones’ age and musical fondness he was again a big hit.
This time it was a blend of Christmas and past million-selling records from the on stage five, one dressed as Santa, two as elves and an extremely talented drummer performing admirably. And then there was Noone, best described as a bundle of energy who had no trouble engaging the crowd for a refreshing no-intermission concert that left many wanting even more.
Until you hear and see Noone and company it’s easy to forget how many hit songs the original group did but selling 52 million records is rather impressive. His weaving of Christmas classics into the festivities simply added to the holiday atmosphere.
“There was a Kind of Hush” and we were “Into Something Good” at the Fox last Friday night because of Peter Noone, his band and the Fox’s willingness to take another chance on booking them. Even “Hen-A-Ree The Eighth” would agree.
