The Puppini Sisters at Union Chapel

The Puppini Sisters are enchanting – for about five minutes.  Apparently they’ve been on TV a bit, and are all classically trained. Made up of Italian Marcella Puppini and English Kate Mullins and Emma Smith, none of them to this feeble ear are obviously bad, so their vocal talents must be accurately rated.

The problem is not quality, but quantity. Two solid, back-to-back hours of the sort of songs, Christmas and other kitsch (Santa Baby, Silent Night, you get the idea) that one knows too well will weary even the most devoted follower of the sisters Puppini (or The Andrews Sisters – their inspiration). 

The spectacular Union Chapel in Islington echoes the sisters mercilessly, to the point that their banter, thin at best, is incomprehensible. One suspects that what The Puppini Sisters need is an act – a group personality to take the weight off their capacious catalogue. At present they are three girls singing along, talented certainly, but with a sense that their enthusiasm will be infectious enough. Their chorus line is weak – the energy from such an act comes from synchronicity and training, in which they seem to be lacking.

The Chapel was almost full. If one has a heartier appetite for all things forties (these girls dressing like Melanie Griffiths in Lolita) one may find such an evening delightful. 

Stephen Powell

 For further information about The Puppini Sisters and future events visit here. 

 Watch The Puppini Sisters sing All I Want for Christmas here: