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London Review
London ReviewDancing in the Streets
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All we need is music . . . sweet music.
---- lyrics to "Dancing in the Streets" |
Cast as The Supremes
(Photo: Joel Anderson and Eric Richmond)
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I couldn't help smiling at the old fashioned choreographic moves as the guys recreate those cheesy synchronised actions of groups like The Temptations. It is interesting to reflect on how much movement has evolved for singers. Each solo singer takes a backing part while each backing singer takes a solo turn. I admired their versatility and sheer verve. The sounds are as I remember the originals, the orchestrations the same. There is nothing here to interfere with nostalgia.
There is no story line but Ray Shell, a veteran star of many a West End musical, links the acts with an amusing introduction reminding us of who and when and how sensational these acts were as well as how many weeks they were at number one. Ray Shell himself also takes on several solo numbers from the repertoire. The music is beyond words, from Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" to Marvin Gaye's I Heard it on the Grapevine to the Supremes "Baby Love"; these tunes are iconic.
As the sound is so good, I would have thought that this was the casting priority but the lookalikes are convincing too, especially the singer playing Diana Ross with a lovely wig and spangled frock to add to the performance. The guys too have flamboyant costume fun with yellow satin South American shirts with ruffles to complement the hip swerving choreography. The girls sound wonderful whilst looking authentic like those cable programmes which show old television clips of the Mowtown acts. The music has not dated the way the excesses of fashion and bizarre wigs have. The performers have obviously studied their role models for mannerisms. All the artists are uncredited by solo part in the programme but I think it was newcomer Nathaniel Morrison who as little Stevie Wonder recreated Stevie's way of placing his hands on his front while gazing up as he sings with a child like innocence.
Most of the audience are here to join in and no one could have stopped them standing to appreciate the last half dozen numbers of the show. "Reach Out" and the title song crown a majestic and soulful evening. What is so good about this show is that all the favourite songs are here. Dancing in the Streets may not be groundbreaking theatre but it is patently what people want, performed to perfection.
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DANCING IN THE STREETS
Compiled and Directed by Keith Strachan Starring: Ray Shell With: Anthony Francis, Robert Grose, Paul Hazel, Siam Hurlock, Joel Karie, Paula Kay, Alana Maria, Nathaniel Morrison, Vanessa White-Smith, Dwayne Wint, Roger Wright, Jacqui Zvimba Musicians: Iain Vince-Gatt, Kevin Oliver Jones, Tony Quinta, Otto Williams, Roxy Harris, Frank Walden, Kevin Wedrychowski, Roger Wilson Choreography: Carole Todd Set Design: Sean Cavanagh Costume Design: Tony Priestley and Barbara Williams Lighting: Ben Cracknell Sound: Ben Harrison Website: www.flyingmusic.com Running time: Two hour thirty minutes with an interval Box Office: 0870 895 5589 Booking at the Cambridge Theatre 24th September 2005 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 19th July 2005 performance at the Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, WC2 (Tube: Covent Garden) |
