Eurobeat - Pride of Europe
Review by Richie Simpson, Presenter of Theatreland on RWS FM 103.3.
One of the reasons I love living in Suffolk is that I can go to the theatre and then drive home "down those country lanes", to quote Ed Sheeran. Well, last night, I travelled to another peaceful part of the county for my first experience with ‘The Bunbury Players’ - and it was a night of delightfully stupid, glittery madness.
Eurobeat is an utterly ridiculous homage to the most utterly ridiculous of events - The Eurovision Song Contest, and it delivers in being an absurd experience. Under the direction of Mandy Morrish, musical direction of William Cahill and choreography of Jack Learoyd, this production served Eurovision realness, with crazy dance routines, non-sensical lyrics and just the right amount of cheese.
For those who haven’t experienced the show, it is described as follows…
It’s Liechtenstein’s turn to host Europe’s favourite song contest and crown this year’s Eurobeat champion. Audience members are invited on a trip to this tiny Alpine nation where ten countries will battle it out through power ballads, key-changes, drag queens, a sprinkle of politics and the drama of crowning a winner… and as if that wasn’t enough, it’s the audience who decides who wins.
Edward Bye's Marlene Cabana was an excellent Eurovision host, delivering brilliant drag comedy and leading the audience along on this wild ride. She also had the most fabulous outfits, including a light up skirt and sparkly boots to die for. In fact, I had costume envy for most of this show. Well done to Hannah Strathern and Mandy Morrish for making me more excited for my next shopping trip!
The ensemble cast brought a great amount of energy to a show that is clearly a lot of fun and doesn't take itself seriously at all. You could tell that they were all enjoying themselves, and that The Bunbury Players are another true community company.
Particular mentions go to Alex Schosland, who, as Bjorn, was comedically tedious, going to great lengths to explain voting processes, Amy Cahill, who had great vocal ability as the singer representing Greece, Emily Smith for her dance performance as the candidate for Sweden, and the entire group representing Poland, whose shameless attempt to get the audience to vote for them was both very funny and unsuccessful.
At the interval the audience voted for their winner - a la Eurovision. Typically, the UK ended up with 'nil points'. The deserved winner was France, for whom Tracey Shaughnessy served up an excellent dose of nonchalance, backed up by some completely ludicrous choreography.
A good production of Eurobeat should remind you that Eurovision, as much as we love it, is actually pretty rubbish - and that’s exactly what I saw in this show by The Bunbury Players. Utterly bonkers and a lot of fun.
Eurobeat is at the Jubilee Centre, Mildenhall until May 31.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE