Eurovibes: Brighton Christmas Festival

It’s party time and what could be better than an enormous cheesy dollop of Eurovision joy. Eurovibes is just that, a joyous celebration of the song contest going right back to the 1960s and charting the way things were to the way things are. And when I say cheesy I mean it in a good way, fine cheeses from across the continent.

The evening was hosted by Kara Van Park, a drag diva of real class and sass, and one with a fine track record too, a few years back she more than starred in a production of Priscilla: Queen of the Dessert, in fact I would go as far as to say she/he saved the day.

Onstage she is joined by an amazing cast of talented singers and dancers who give their all to make this evening fly, and they start that journey with the ill fated British entry from a few years back, Scooch in 2007. But before that we head back to our winning years with classics like Boom Bang-a-Bang, Jack In a Box and the brilliant Puppet on a String (get it right girl and take those shoes off please). We get the unforgettable Save All Your Kisses For Me and of course Making Your Mind Up complete with the saucy reveal. Were all fully involved by now, encouraged to sing along and should you wish to dance. I stayed seated but how I sang along, and how many of those words did I remember, this from a man who struggled to learn even the simplest of times tables!

The evening progresses to our continental cousins, you know, the ones we stupidly divorced. The menu is varied, hits we recognise sit happily next to those we have forgotten but suddenly remember, the pop classics next to a few truly bonkers entries. The whole show culminates of course with the ABBA classic that won them the trophy back in 1974 here in Brighton at the Dome, and the cast thunder on with a superb medley of their hits – what’s not to love!

The man behind the show is Jack Michael Pallister who has devised, directed and choreographed the whole thing and he has done a superb job. The dances are fabulous reflections of some of those iconic performances and they rise from there to new heights, heights that this multi-talented cast are more than up to. And when it comes to costumes this is no-holds-barred glam, a sequin and crystal fest that would sit comfortably on any West End stage.

If by now you are in any doubt, I had fun, real fun, a couple of beers and a bratwurst and I was happy as the proverbial Larry. You can stay on too and dance away to a great cabaret set from two members of the cast who blast out hit after hit with style and skill. On alternative nights the show is hosted by drag prince Alfie Ordinary, another local talent now achieving international acclaim.

Eurovision is a phenomenon that crosses generations and will appeal to anyone born in the mid twentieth century to millenials and beyond. Of course my best memories come from Britain’s glory years when not only did we get votes but we won. Eurovibes is a winner!

Andrew Kay

10 December

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