1940s SHOWS
Fiona Harrison is a soprano and costume artist with an intuitive understanding for all things 40s. Highly respected on the 1940s scene for her vocal versatility and authenticity, Fiona regularly performs songs from this era in authentic uniforms and glamorous costumes of the period.
Widely acknowledged as “Britain’s finest Professional 1940s Entertainer” Fiona has gained a reputation for her outstanding showmanship and gorgeous glamour. Her trade marks are her superb musical arrangements and close harmony work. This she does by recording the two harmony parts onto her backing track and then sings the melody line live in performance making her act unique and unlike any other.
With 11 fabulous forties shows to choose from Fiona has become the artist of choice headlining at many events in the UK and Northern Europe. Fiona is also able to sing in French and she has represented her country on many occasions singing in France and Italy. A regular visitor to Normandy Fiona has been involved in the D-Day commemorations since 2004 performing at the British, Canadian and American beaches Sword, Gold, Juno and Utah.
Fiona was engaged to sing for the 70th D-Day anniversary in Arromanches which was attended by the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) and returned in 2019 to perform on Arromanches beach for the 75th D-Day commemoration and at the famous Pegasus Bridge in Benouville. Fiona will be returning for the 80th Commemorations in 2024.
To view Fiona’s 1940s show reel and other related videos click onto the thumbnails below:
From “The Girl Next Door” to “Glamorous Goddess” Fiona Harrison is an artist with the skill and know-how to bring the thrill and ambience of 1940s Hollywood to your event anywhere in the world!
If you are booking a “Big Band” why not feature Fiona as a special cabaret performance and allow your audience to be amazed by Fiona’s superb singing voice and impeccable presentation!
Weekend Package
Designed specifically for Steam Railways, Heritage and Re-anactment events. Fiona is able to provide a choice of 3 x 45 minute non repetitive costume shows daily from any of the titles listed below + an optional Friday or Saturday night Dance. Sing-along, Lindy Hop and social dance music can be provided and catered for, all performed in authentic uniforms and glamorous costumes of the period.
Fiona’s Fabulous Forties Shows
Uniform Shows
British
1. (WRNS) “The Fleet’s in Port Again”
Sing along with Fiona as she performs in WRNS uniform and includes those nautical favourites from “All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor”,” Heart of Oak” to “On the Crest of the Wave” as featured in the popular film “The Gang Show”.
2. (ATS) “Well Meet Again”
By far Fiona’s most popular sing – along show as she takes the rank of Lance Corporal and sings a selection of well loved tunes from “ Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats,” “Run Rabbit Run” to Lilli Marlene”, all performed in ATS uniform and concluding with a patriotic Vera Lynn flag waving finally.
3. (WAAF) “Those Magnificent Men”
From “Dambusters” to “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, Fiona is a Nightingale who can mix romance with swing. From American jive to British marches Fiona performs as a Squadron Officer in full WAAF uniform. This show is ideally suited to RAF functions and Mess dinners and can be tailor made to suit.
American
4. (WAC) “GI Jive”
Get ready to experience the best in 1940s entertainment as Fiona steps out on stage as a US WAC. With a special D-Day twist for 2024 – This show is fast, exciting and full of bounce as Fiona swings and Jives her way though the top Big Band melodies of the 1940s. Performed in authentic WAC uniform Fiona takes the rank of 2nd Lieutenant inspiring the imagination and invoking memories of the past.
5. (WAVES) “Anchors A-Weigh!”
A Unique, dazzling W.A.V.E.S. show, performed in authentic uniform, featuring the hottest musical swing tunes of the 1940′s with a glamorous American “South Pacific” flavour.
Glamour Shows
6. “Stars and Stripes Show”
An all American show inspired by the music of The Andrew Sisters, Glen Miller, Broadway and Hollywood musicals. This show is packed with classic American foot tapping tunes from the 1930′s and 40′s. Sing-along with “California here I Come” to “Deep in the Heart of Texas”.
7. “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”
An energetic American swing show offering an alternative to uniform and performed in civilian glamour, Rita Hayworth style! Sit back and be amazed by Fiona’s close harmony work as she sings in triplicate and looks every inch the movie star.
8. “Hooray for Hollywood”
Be transported back to the glory days of the Hollywood musicals as Fiona performs songs made famous by stars such as Judy Garland, James Cagney, Carman Miranda Rita Hayworth and more.
9. “Dance, Jump, Jive”
A Vibrant show designed for Lindy-Hop Dancers. This performance includes songs for the “Charleston Stroll”, “Shim Sham”and is packed full of great dance music from the 1930s & 40s. It can be performed as 2 x 45/60 minute sets or as a complement to a Big Band or DJ. Songs include “Cho Cho Ch Boogie”, “Straighten Up and Fly Right” “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” “I’ve Heard that Song Before” and “There ain’t Nobody Here But us Chickens” to name but a few.
10. “Underneath the Arches”
Join Fiona as she takes her audience for a walk down Lambeth Way with popular Cockney sing along tunes from World War Two. Performed in Pearly Queen costume this show includes songs such as “Knees up Mother Brown”, “Leaning on a Lampost”, “I’ve got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” and many more!
11. “Evette the Spivette”
Fiona has invented a bright new character for the 1940s scene – a female singing Spiv who will both charm and delight you like no other! Performed as a 45 minute compliment to one of her three shows daily options or as a 60 minute evening cabaret, Fiona will draw you into this wonderful musical ripping yarn world of Evette whilst wearing pin stripe and moving like no other.
To find out more about this stunning show click onto the Evette the Spivette page.
Set Times
Set times can vary in length from 1 x 60 minutes, 2 x 45 minutes, 2 x 60 minutes or 3 x 45 minutes shows daily. Fiona prides herself on offering a personal service and likes to tailor make her shows to suit each client’s specific requirements. Shows can vary depending on the type of venue and her play list is as extensive as any one you are likely to meet ranging form gentle background music to up tempo swing. Fiona is also available for Vintage Fairs and Tea Rooms and offers a specially designed package where she is able to perform 20 minutes on and 20 minuets off all through the day.
Going the Extra Mile!
What makes Fiona different is her attention to historic detail and extraordinary repertoire. A trained classical singer with a three octave vocal rang Fiona is able to do the work of four people producing shows which are both engaging and skilfully constructed. With 11 fabulous forties shows available Fiona can vary her performances and costumes adding that extra special element of surprise, skilfully mixing Big Band and Swing arrangements with Salon and Concert Orchestra line ups – making the impossible possible!
Educational Presentations
To tie in with the national curriculum Fiona regularly goes into schools and performs the music of WW2. Her lesson plan concentrates on 4 different types of music – Big Band and Swing, Sing-along, Patriotic and Novelty songs – focusing on how social events brought about the changes in popular music. She also brings song sheets, props and visual aids and children are encouraged to make their own Union Jack flags before hand which they can bring along and wave at the end of the show.
More details can be found by clicking through to Fiona’s Schools page.
A popular entertainer on the 1940s scene Fiona has appeared on many front covers.
In January 2012 Fiona was featured in the UK’s Top nostalgic monthly magazine the “Best of British”. To read the article click onto the picture below for an enlargement.
Fiona has since become a regular feature writer for The Best of British Magazine writing on a variety of topics related to the vintage scene. To read her articles click through to Fiona’s Articles Page where you can catch up on her latest 1940s features.
On stage Fiona looks as terrific as she sounds and always leaves the audience cheering. She can cater for indoor and outdoor events and has the capability to sound up to 2000 people with her own quality sound system. Fiona can work with live bands or as a totally self-contained performance, using custom made backing tracks to her own orchestral arrangements. These include :-
Air Force Medley – The Army Air Corps, Wings Over the Navy, The Dambusters March
Al Jolson Medley – California Here I Come, Tootie Goodbye, Swanee
Andrews Sisters Medley – Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
British Themes Medley – We’ll Keep a Welcome, Loch Lomond, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, There’ll Always be an England, Land of Hope and Glory
Flanagan and Alan Medley – Underneath the Arches, Strolling
Glen Miller Medley – Chattanooga Cho Cho, In the Mood
Hooray for Hollywood Medley – Hooray for Hollywood, Falling in Love Again, I Like You Very Much, The Road to Morocco
James Cagney Medley – Yankeee Doodle Boy, Give my Regards to Broadway
Judy Garland Medley – Over the Rainbow, Zing Went the Strings of my Heart, Get Happy, The Trolley Song
Me and My Girl Medley – Me and My Girl, The Sun Has Got His Hat On, Leaning on a Lamppost, The Lambeth Walk
Navy Medley – The Fleets in Port Again- Anchors Aweigh, Heart of Oak, On the Crest of the Wave
States Saunter Medley – Stars Fell on Alabama, Georgia, Carolina in the Morning
South Pacific Medley – In Love with a Wonderful Guy, Happy Talk, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair, There is Nothing Like a Dame
US Army Medly – We’ve Got a Job to Do, This is the Army Mr Jones, Ma I Miss Your Apple Pie, Deep in the Heart of Texas, When the Saints Go Marching In
US WAVES Medley – Anchors Aweigh, Waves of the Navy
Vera Lynn Medley – We’ll Meet Again, The White Cliffs of Dover
War Time Sing-Along Medley – Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler, Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant- Major, We’re Gonna Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line, Run Rabbit Run, Roll out the Barrel, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles (In Your Old Kit Bag), Bless’ Em All
Wizard of Oz Medley – We’re Off to See the Wizard, If I Only Had a Brain, Over the Rainbow, It Really was no Miracle, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Optimistic Voices, The Merry Old Land of Oz
Other Popular Numbers Include:-
A Lovely way to Spend an Evening, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Apple Blossom Time, A Pair of Silver Wings, As Time Goes By, A Tisket A Tasket, Babies of the Blitz, Bei Mir Bist Du Schon, Be Like the Kettle and Sing, Cho Cho Ch Boogie, GI Jive, Goodnight Sweetheart, Goody Goody, Hands Knees and Boomps a Daisy, I had the Craziest Dream, I’ll Be Seeing You, I’m Gonna get Lit Up (When the Lights Go Up in London), I’ve Heard that Song Before, Joseph! Joseph!, La Vie En Rose, Lets Face the Music and Dance, Let the People Sing, Lilli Marlene, Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats, , Orange Coloured Sky, People Will Say We’re in Love, Put the Blame on Mame, Room 504, Sally, Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week), Sing as we Go, Sing Sing Sing, So in Love, Strike up the Band, String of Pearls, That Lovely Weekend, The Army the Navy and the Air Force, The Girl in the Little Green Hat, There Aint Nobody here but us Chickens, There’s A Small Hotel, The Umbrella Man, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye), You are My Sunshine, You Belong to Me, You’ll Never Know, Yours,
Plus many more
On stage, Fiona is a true professional combining close harmony with glamour and forties authenticity. To find out where she is currently performing please visit Fiona’s fan page on Facebook. You can also follow her career on Twitter and by clicking onto Fiona’s Blog diary.
Photographs shot on location by
Lewis Brockway of Concert and Stage Photography,
Amy Elisabeth Philips of Amy’s Elegant Moments,
Dave Jackson of Retro Air Photographic
Angela Adams of Angela Adams Photography
Additional Shots by Colin Aldous, Alexis Lahaye and Tony Brown.