WHEN Kim Dickinson first performed her celebration of the music of The Carpenters several members of the audience walked out because her voice was so alike to Karen Carpenter’s they thought she was miming.

“It did come as a bit of a shock at the time,” laughed Kim. “I wondered what on earth was going on.”

Music lovers in East Lancashire will get the chance to enjoy Top of the World: The Music of the Carpenters when it comes to the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, next Thursday night.

Kim, who started her career as a country singer and had a number one album across Europe, has always been a fan of The Carpenters.

“Karen Carpenter was just something else,” she said.

“From the moment I set out to do this show I wanted it to be a celebration of the music. I really stay away from the idea of it being a tribute show.

“We don’t all dress up in 70s gear, we just let the songs come through.”

Backed by a five-piece band and with her own backing singers Kim sings many of the Carpenters best known songs such as Close To You and We’ve Only Just Begun.

“As a fan I didn’t just want the show to be all the hits,” said Kim. “So the show deliberately has a few surprises in there. Some of the songs from the Carpenters early years are fantastic but are not that well known so we include some of them in the show.

“I think this helps keep the show fresh and really keeps the audience interested. The die-hard fans really enjoy hearing the rarities and those who only really know the big hits learn more about the band.”

At the heart of all the Carpenters music is the voice of the late Karen Carpenter.

“I have never set out to mimic anyone,” said Kim. “It’s just that my voice does sound like hers. It can be a little frustrating in one way because all I want to do is be recognised for being a singer in my own right.

“When I first started out in country music I was younger and I suppose I had all these big ideas but now I have a little boy I’m really settled with my life.”

Before coming up with the idea of Top of the World Kim has worked with some major names in the music business opening shows for the likes of Richard Marx, Smokie and the Beach Boys.

“That was an amazing experience,” she said. “I remember watching the Beach Boys rehearse and the harmonies they had were unbelievable. They were so generous to me, giving me advice and being genuinely interested in me as a singer.”

Kim is quite happy to have swapped concert tours for theatre shows.

“There is just something very special about playing in theatres,” she said. “There is a wonderful connection with the audience “I always had great faith in this show and when we first tried it out last year the reception we got was fantastic.

“This year we will be playing 15 theatres including Blackburn before June and we can’t wait.”

  • Top of the World: The Music of The Carpenters, Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, Thursday, January 15.

Details from 01254 685500.