Bringing his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra side hustle into a full orchestral setting for the first time, actor-turned-bandleader Jeff Goldblum takes what is essentially an affable, loosely structured, slightly spoofy lounge act to a major stage. On this evidence, the level-up reveals more limitations than strengths.

The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – more a combo really, born of club and hotel residencies more than a decade ago – has gradually built a following alongside a string of albums (we’re up to five now; the latest, Night Blooms, is out in June). The project is largely anchored by Goldblum’s affection for the Great American Songbook, which this Concert Hall program largely sidesteps in favour of film-adjacent material, including numbers linked to his own screen career.

Jeff Goldblum, Khaila Johnson and The Metropolitan Orchestra. Photo supplied

Goldblum ambles on while the house lights are still up, essentially acting as his own warm-up guy before restarting the show “proper”, which kicks off with Wonderful (from Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked) and Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s Pure Imagination (from Willy Wonka) in characterful if vocally uneven readings. Goldblum’s dry bass-baritone is effective enough; his upper notes prove rather...