SWING is the thing that will sing-a-ling-a-ling at Monmouth's Savoy Theatre tomorrow night when actor Mark Moraghan and radio and tv personality Nicky Campbell bring their own brand of 'new songs in the classic fashion' to prove once and for all, as the title of their 2009 debut album states, 'Moonlight is Back in Style.'

Chronicle reporter TIM BUTTERS caught up with one of the biggest swingers in town to discover just why an old 'Watchdog' has picked up the mic and taken to the stage to become a 'cool cat'.

"I'm in love with songs, it's that simple," explains Campbell, the driving musical and lyrical force behind 'Moonlight is Back in Style', when asked about the genesis of the album that was released last year.

And it was Campbell's devotional love of songs which led directly to the critically-acclaimed album of style and swing which was written by Nicky and sung by Mark and which has thrust the unlikely pair into the spotlight and a nationwide tour that has razzled and dazzled many a happy audience.

The tale of the two troubadours with an affinity for that 'big old-time sound' began when the award winning radio presenter met former Brookside and Holby City actor Mark Moraghan on the BBC series, 'Just the Two of Us,' where they discovered a passionate penchant for swing, big bands, and show-stopping ballads.

It was a meeting of musical minds and the chemistry was instant.

The pair decided to fulfill their mutual musical ambition to make an album that would show that they do still sing 'em and write em' like they used to.

Campbell is no stranger to music, and has been writing professionally on and off since he was 21. It started with radio and TV jingles in the eighties and he continued to write music for Radio One in the nineties, garnering a Sony award for his efforts.

Yet until last year, most people would have associated the name Campbell with the playing of records rather than the making of them.

So was the writing of a record, whose lyrics, figures no less than Sir Tim Rice have called "annoyingly good," the realisation of a lifetime ambition or just something that swung the swinger's way at a convenient time?

"I love writing music and always have," revealed Campbell. "I think a good song is sacred, because anything that can encapsulate a story or message in the space of three or four minutes, whilst taking you to a magical place that touches a chord within, is perfection itself.

"So to actually write an album of songs that people feel are worth listening to is definitely the fulfillment of a long harboured ambition."

Although catholic in his musical tastes which range from the Beatles to Bowie and from the Rolling Stones to Elvis Costello, Campbell's songs on this particular musical offering are on the whole about love - whether being in it, being abandoned by it, finding it, fleeing it, losing it, being broken by it or finding redemption in it. The 'L' word looms large undercover of the 'moonlight'.

"The songs are basically about human relationships and all the emotions and passions inherent in that, and which are familiar to anyone who has ever loved, lost and lived," Nicky told the Chronicle.

Taking the winning formula of 'Moonlight' and applying it their second-album which will be called 'Empty Bottle, Broken Heart' Nicky and Mark are of the attitude 'if it ain't broke don't fix it.'

"We're half-way through the second-album and it's going to be very much a case of more of the same," said Nicky.

"As for the difficult third album, that'll be the time to get experimental, and Mark and I will probably appear naked on the cover like John and Yoko," joked the Moonlight maestro.

Liverpudlian Mark Moraghan, who is the Roger Daltrey to Nicky's Pete Townsend, sings all the songs on 'Moonlight' and has been involved in music since the late 1970s.

Best know for his acting, Mark has a passion for singing and the likes of Dean Martin, Sammy Davies Jr and big band music, with the ultimate ambition of combining singing and acting on a West End stage one day.

"I call Mark the Toxteth Tony Bennet," joked Nicky, "In all seriousness though he's got a great voice and because he's something akin to an old-fashioned matinee idol, he always brings the crowds."

Crowds, which have so far managed to bridge the generation gap during the two's tour across the country.

"We attract both old and young at our shows and that's because we make sure we always put in a polished and professional performance," said Nicky. "We are backed by an absolutely top class band which include the celebrated arranger and pianist Paul Buck, bassist Mark Howell and drummer Sam Brown.

"We perform songs from the album alongside a generous helping of classic 'Rat-Pack' standards and although Mark takes the lead vocals on most of the arrangements I do a couple of solo spots myself, as well as accompanying Mark and the band on guitar, ukulele, and backing vocals."

Turning his thoughts to tomorrow night Nicky added, "We're really looking forward to playing the Monmouth Savoy because it's one of those theatres with a lot of character and history.

"They don't make venues like that any more. So the atmosphere is perfect for us and the style of music we play. It'll be a great night."

To date the 'Moonlight' tour has received rapturous receptions, rave reviews, and standing ovations in every venue it has visited and has been described as a show of "banter, badinage, blazing excellence and beautiful songs."

So why not take a swing down to the Savoy tomorrow night and listen to the singers as they sing their songs of love, loss and a life lived.

Mark Moraghan and Nicky Campbell's Moonlight Band, which includes some of the UK's very best Jazz and Swing Musicians who have played with people from Count Basie Orchestra to Jools Holland, will be at the Monmouth Savoy Theatre tomorrow night.

The show will start at 7.30pm and are available (£15) online by visiting http://www.monmouthsavoy.co.uk">www.monmouthsavoy.co.uk , from the Box Office (contact 01600 772467), or at Artico (Church Street), Bojangles (Monnow Street) and Monmouth Museum (Priory Street).