Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision

Opening weekend audiences at Eurobeat, were rolling in the aisles at this almost Eurovision campy comedy. Waving flags from their assigned countries the audience was very involved and embraced the opportunity to vote for their favourite acts.

A relatively small ensemble present entries from ten European countries, who compete to be named Eurovision winner. Highlights for me were the gloriously awkward United Kingdom entry (Emma Shaw and Allen Blachford), the unique and unusual Liechtenstein (Allen Blachford, Paul Taylor Byrne, Jessica Dean and Nicole George) and the Swedish AVLA (Hilary Readings, Jesse Angus, Jenny Lawrence and Josh Munroe). Winning on the night I attended was the Estonian entry.

Boldly hosted by Natalie Burbage and Brad Tudor in extreme characterisations as Boyka and Sergei, the evening moves swiftly and smoothly. Allen Blachford delivers some interesting choreography and Kate McIntosh's musical direction is solid, though not always backed with strong vocal performances.

Simply but effectively set by Stephen Carr, Peter Carr, Ben Davis and Marc Sinclair, the lighting design by Alex Coutts-Smith makes good use of obligatory lasers. The costumes (Ryan Taafe and Jenny Lawrence) are particularly exciting and the traditional Eurovision reveal is used to good effect.

This is a bright and bubbly production and audiences are having a ball.

Kimberley Shaw