Sing-a-Long-a-ABBA at the Whitehall Theatre.
Sing-a-Long-a Partnership Present:
Sing-a-Long-a-ABBA at the Whitehall Theatre.
Times:
Thursday 8pm.
Friday & Saturday 6pm & 8.45pm.
Sunday 4pm.
1 interval of 15 minutes.
Prices:
Evenings £22.50, matinees £19.50.
Go with the intention to have a wild and crazy time - you really won't be disappointed.
The Sing-a-Long-a' phenomenon hit the headlines with The Sound of Music in 1999 where audience and performers go interractive and share in the creation of the evening's entertainment. An instant success, largely due to the fact that theatre etiquette is overthrown: as the audience let their hair down, all street-cred goes out the window when even the most restrained joins in with all the reckless enthusiasm they can muster.
Now it's back, with a new approach, a new line-up and a new voice. Sing-a-Long-a-ABBA' still keeps the halls alive with its on-srceen lyrics and compulsory audience participation, but now you become the super trouper in a night like no other.
In the same way that kareoke is not fundamentally concerned with talent and tightness, however, so this kind of communal kareoke/pop concert is not going to dazzle you with second-to-none singing and choreography. The two guys and two girls on the stage, who recreate the ABBA legend with their white glittery flares and miniskirts, 60s wigs and platform shoes, get the audience going more by energy and animation than with outstanding dexterity.
But this does nothing to tarnish the zeal the show instils into the spirit of its audience. Roy Jackson on the keys and Michael Palmer on the guitar playing Benny and Bjorn respectively really are superb at hosting the evening and will easily manage to secure a smile on your face for the duration of the show. With their comic interludes and witty ad-libbing you will be amongst a minority if you can't stop yourself laughing out loud.
The men in the band really do look as if they are enjoying themselves - so important if energy is going to be maintained. And along with the goody bags of party poppers, sunglasses, flags, hankies, money and SOS signs to be used as props during the medley of songs, and the simple actions taught throughout the evening, even if you don't join in the fun you'll have a great time watching the majority who do.
The show does rely on the eagerness of its audience for the success of the evening. A little risky maybe. But luckily I went on a night when the seats were sold out, the audience were all mad as hatters many dressed in retro 60s garb and the lucky few who were picked to go up on the stage to be crowned Dancing Queen were all well and truly up for a laugh.
In other words, if you're a dancing or a kareoke queen and go along with the intention to have a wild and crazy time then you really won't be disappointed. Especially if you, like me, think ABBA rock!
Fridea abd Choreographer: Amanda Bell.
Benny: Roy Jackson.
Bjorn: Michael Palmer.
Agetha: Katie Roddy.
Director: Richard Lewis.
Musical Directors: Annette Butti, John Butler.
Costume: Stuart Pearson.
Lighting: David Edwards.
2003-01-20 21:56:16