Dan Clews, the founder of Night Owl Shows, is more than a competent guitarist and singer. While playing gigs in England, his audience remarked how much he sounded like James Taylor. This sparked a creative moment of genius and Clews started a production company that now performs all around the world.

There are 12 performers in Clews’ multi-talented stable. Their bread and butter are imitating past greats, but with the inclusion of their own take and in some cases arrangements and phrasing. Thus, at no point does the performance fall into the tacky karaoke genre.

In this metamorphosis, Dan Clews and Hannah Richards bring the music of Carole King and James Taylor to a loyal and faithful audience. The boomer audience were in good voice as Clews and Richards belted out all the sixties and seventies iconic hits- you won’t be disappointed with the playlist.

After respectfully enjoying the quality of the duo’s voices for the few first songs, audience participation was encouraged -much to the delight of all - especially as the show reached its conclusion. At one hilarious juncture, an audience member delivered the James Taylor signature vintage newsboy hat to the stage. Clews, without missing a beat, slipped it on and proceeded to ad-lib some comedy to the sold-out crowd’s delight.

Richards’ pitch-perfect voice although not exactly the same timbre as King’s, was close. What separated her from a tribute performer was her personal phrasing of some of the songs. Her musical theatre background came to the fore. She was more than capable on the keyboard and offered the perfect harmonies to Clews when both participated in each other’s songs.

Clews was almost exactly James Taylor in voice and guitar riffs. His dulcet tones reverberated in the Hat Trick tent. If you closed your eyes, you were transported to the late sixties and seventies.

What took this performance to another level was the inclusion of recordings from the original artists’ conversations and the historical narratives from both performers about their respective alter personas. It gave each song more of a meaning; as if the poetry of both songwriters was not enough.

If there was room for 6 stars, I wouldn’t hesitate to grant this uber-talented duo that honour. This is a world-class show and if you used to listen to Carole King and James Taylor on your record player, I suggest you book your tickets immediately. Absolutely stellar performances by two enormously talented musicians.