REVIEW: BROTHERHOOD OF MAN & BOBBY G's BUCKS FIZZ

Whether putting on or attending an outdoor event in the UK, you make a pact with the devil.  The summer months are notorious for chucking up some terrible weather.  And thus it was with a certain resignation that I drove in the rain to the picturesque Anderton Boat Lift with the foreknowledge that we were probably going to be a wet audience by the end of the night.  And it proved to be an accurate assessment, however when it comes to our music we Brits don't let a little thing like the weather put us off.  The small but extremely enthusiastic crowd gathered on a predictable August evening to pay homage to two groups who have earned their place in the hearts of Eurovision fans throughout the world.

ReMinds

The scene was set by local Northwich band ReMinds.  Essentially a Simple Minds tribute band, but with some extra 80s colour thrown in.  A great little five piece band, they proved a welcome start to the evening. As the 1980s synth sounds blasted out into the night, feet were tapping and we were singing along. It proved to be a great way to get us connecting to our younger selves and the influential musical landscape that was the fabric to the lives of all that attended.

 Brotherhood Of Man performing their winning routine in 1976

Still going strong after 45 years, rocking it in Cheshire

 The original vinyl single selling 5 million worldwide

But this evening was about two icons of the Eurovision Song Contest. The British winners.  First up were Lee Sheriden, Nicky Stevens, Sandra Stevens and Martin Lee, known collectively as Brotherhood Of Man.  Brought together in 1972 to replace a former incarnation of the group,  they quickly solidified themselves into a formidable vocal group.  With nine Top 40 entries, including three number ones, they have a powerful arsenal of catchy pop classics in their repertoire.  Towards the end of their recording career, the Brotherhood descended into a covers band, issuing albums of Disco and Love Songs.  Two of the members though Lee and Martin – together with long term record producer Tony Hillier – wrote all their hits and its perhaps a pity the team were not allowed to flourish more as their record contracts came to an end. However, none of that is important here.  Kicking off with a powerful version of “Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes” (a hit for Edison Lighthouse in 1970) it marked the start of a hugely enjoyable journey through the 1970s.  Nicky Stevens and Sandra Stevens (no relation) are often compared to ABBA’s Frida and Agnetha, which is rather unfair, the double Stevens combination have terrific voices in their own right. When harmonising together they make a powerful pop sound. Tearing through their own hits we were given “Figaro”, “Angelo”, “Beautiful Lover”, “My Sweet Rosalie”, “Oh Boy! (The Mood I’m In)” and “United We Stand”. Added to that string of chart successes,  they threw in the Bay City Rollers, Kiki Dee, The Beatles and even The Wombles.  No retro stone was left unturned and the crowd lapped it up.  However the mere mention of their legendary Eurovision win earlier in the show had the crowd whipped up into a frenzy. Therefore there was only one way to end this set.  “Save Your Kisses For Me” is still the biggest selling Eurovision winner ever.  Five million units sold and number 1 in 33 countries. There was not a single person who didn’t sing it along with the Brotherhood. We were instantly transported back to 1976, the biggest moment in the career of Brotherhood Of Man and part of the soundtrack to the lives of everyone there.  After all these years, the Brotherhood have still got it.  Long may they continue to delight the faithful.

When four become three...  poor Paul (right) was ill on the night

                                                 Still making their minds up 36 years later!

                                                The 1981 single with the original line up.

Next up were Bobby G’s Bucks Fizz.  Although due to illness there was still plenty of Fizz but less Bucks.  Group member Paul Yates’ illness reduced the group to a threesome. Original member Bobby G, his wife Heidi Manton with Tammy Choat completing the trio.  Again with three number 1’s to their credit amid thirteen Top 40 chart hits,  all masterminded by producer Andy Hill. Sadly the Bucks Fizz brand has been soured over the past few years by legal action over the name and Bobby’s fellow original members launching into sporadic bitching in the press. However, all this was brushed aside as the 2017 official holders of the brand name opened with the tribal pop anthem “New Beginning (Mamba Seyra)”.  If there was a small criticism it is that there was mercifully few of the well remembered Bucks Fizz hits.  We were treated to “You And Your Heart So Blue” and “My Camera Never Lies” in the early part of their set but it was then given over to cover versions of classics by Tiffany, Meatloaf, ABBA, Toni Basil and many others. One criticism that cannot be levelled at Bobby G’s Bucks Fizz is that they cannot sing.  All three boasted powerful voices,  Bobby G’s vocals effortlessly conjured up the sound that fronted so many of the original hits whilst Heidi and Tammy both handled their solo opportunities with terrific professionalism.  Finally the group returned to the brand with their last two numbers. "The Land Of Make Believe" is one of those songs which has had a life beyond the era that it was recorded in,  and joining in was a must for the audience who were now all on their feet and dancing.  As with Brotherhood Of Man, the final song is the one that Bucks Fizz will always be remembered for: "Making Your Mind Up". Thankfully Bobby managed to rip both girls skirts off.  What a guy, not bad for 64!

It is fair to say I think, that both these bill toppers deserved to play to a much bigger crowd than was actually present (and with tickets on sale for a mere three weeks they were lucky to attract the crowd they did - not the fault of the groups though), but to their credit the Brotherhood and the Fizz gave 110% to the show and delivered an evening all present will remember.

Keep up to date with both groups on their official websites:

www.bucksfizz.co.uk

www.brotherhoodofman.co.uk 

Me sneaking in a quick cuddle with the legends themselves,

Brotherhood Of Man

 

REVIEW: OUR HOUSE @ CREWE LYCEUM

The jukebox musical has become a firm money spinner for theatres across the land,  but for my money there are only two jukebox musicals that lift the art to a higher plane: the eternally sunny Mamma Mia! and at the other end of the spectrum darker events in NW1 courtesy of Madness and Tim Firth in Our House.

It seems a little cruel to be giving a verdict on the opening night of a tour with a show as complex as this. There were bound to be fluffs with costume and set, and sure we got them, but it didn’t deter from what is clearly a classy revival. The magnificent Crewe Lyceum proved an equally classy setting to launch this new tour.

Tim Firth’s script is seemingly influenced by the movie Sliding Doors (and we got plenty of them in this version) as we follow the alternate time lines of Joe Casey following a break in at a building site.  There follows events which in which the ‘light’ Joe Casey - who gives himself up when police arrive - seems to be getting the worst of things, whilst ‘dark’ Joe Casey with his decidedly dodgy morals does a runner. This Joe seems to have everything: success and his girl,  Sarah.  But this is a morality tale and fortunes change.  Firth’s clever script mines the comedy out of some quite murky events,  and the drama is heightened by the timeless pop arsenal of Madness.  Back in the day, the bleak jobless landscape of life in Thatcher’s Britain was reflected in the lyrics of some of the best songs married with some killer singalong tunes. It was an irresistible combination which made them the legends they are today.  Songs such as It Must Be Love, My Girl, House Of Fun, and the title song Our House remain classics. It is almost impossible not to get out of your seat and dance.

This new production produced by the Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions conjures up the world of NW1 in style. Designer David Shields has a tough task of producing a number of locations ranging from Casey Street to inside a prison to a Las Vegas wedding. He does so with a clever array of set pieces which work well. Meanwhile director James Tobias and choreographer Fabian Aloise get the meat out of the drama and music through a high energy young cast.

As the pivotal role of Joe Casey,  Jason Kajdi has big shoes to fill. But he does so magnificently. This must be one of the toughest roles in musical theatre beset with baffling quick changes as the ‘light’ and ‘dark’ aspects of the character intertwine. And despite the odd wardrobe malfunction, Kajdi sailed through it like a true pro.  He gives a star performance.  He is surrounded by an equally strong ensemble.  Deena Payne brings just the right amount of  sensitivity to Joe’s mother Kath.  Sophie Matthew is spot on as Sarah who struggles with the actions of both versions of Joe.  She possesses a lovely singing voice too, which is most evident in her solo number NW5. Street dancer George Sampson (erstwhile winner of Britain’s Got Talent nine years ago) steps up to play one of the villains of the piece, skinhead scumbag Reecey.  Naturally some street dancing is incorporated into the show, but away from that Sampson has the confidence to give Reecey the arrogance and swagger that defines him.  It is the start of a promising career in musicals.  A word too must go to Callum McArdle as Joe’s Dad.  A spectral figure who observes and narrates the actions of his son,  it is a strong binding of the two alternate futures from the view of a father who is so near and yet so far. 

Jason Kajdi as 'dark' Joe

Deena, Jason and Sophie

George Sampson as Reecey

I could go on naming cast members, but it would just bore you. Save to say that this is a top notch, high energy cast who leave us all breathless with their dance and performing skills. Musical Director Dustin Conrad leads a band of four, which somehow manage to sound like twenty, and are one of the major reasons the audience were tapping their feet throughout.  After a hectic first performance, the show will no doubt be tightened and honed further. I'd like to see the cast when they are truly bedded into their roles. 

The cast of Our House 2017:  raw talent

It is always a worry, when you hold happy memories of previous productions of a show, that a new tour will somehow diminish those memories for you.  However the residents of Casey Street are in good hands here.  It is a production blessed with a lot of love for its subject.  There has never been a better time to be invited to Our House.

Tour details can be found at www.ourhousetouruk.com