Eurovision Your Decision

The world goes crazy for Eurovision so it should come as no surprise that the craziness spawns even crazier offspring. This pop baby is the epitome of craziness at its very best. Tim McArthur and his company have given birth to the very best kind of tribute show. It is a tribute to the enduring popularity of the phenomenon, to the very best of the acts that have participated and also the weirdest and above all to the very best and of course the worst of songs.

Any number of shows could simply troop out on a stage and belt out those numbers but this production goes so much further.

Let’s start with the talent, all four can sing, and sing well, this is no karaoke job but full on professional delivery. All four can also deliver comedy, McArthur’s Demetrius is comedy gold but he also gives magically funny turns as a variety of Euro divas. Lucy Penrose is equally entertaining, such a strong voice but when combined with here super animated facial expressions she is side splittingly hilarious, her posh Katie McBoyle totally convincing from start to finish and her numbers delivered with real class.

Steven Serlin gets to play the blokes, a powerhouse of lascivious lip licking pop monsters, power ballads delivered with a fair dollop of macho sleaze and Jack Evans, well again, a beautiful voice used as a comic lethal weapon whether delivering a ballad or belting out a pop classic.

Add to this bundle of talent really high, I mean west end high, production values. Excellent video presentations of each of the acts in the traditional Eurovision style, great costumes and some very fine and perfectly delivered choreography, beat perfect throughout.

The second half has fewer musical moments but plenty of belly laughs as Katie deals with the scores and Demetrius chases the acts around the dressing rooms in a bonkers manner afforded them by use of the revolving stage. And we the audience have had the chance to vote in addition to the hysterical judging panel votes delivered by “live” links. And finally a winner and a reprise of the winning song, different I believe at each performance. Then a curtain call before the inevitable Waterloo. Summed up these four amazing talents deliver 15 songs and a shed load of laughs before disappearing no doubt exhausted. My face ached from laughing and my hands stung from clapping along. Eurovision is totally bonkers and this gem of a show captures with due reverence and plenty of saucy humour the whole joyous silliness of it all.

Andrew Kay

Ironworks Studio, Brighton

11 May

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