Dancing in the Streets – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Director: Keith Strachan

Choreographer: Carole Todd

Reviewer: Jim Nicholson

The Public Reviews Rating:

As a schoolboy of the sixties and seventies I not only grew up with the sound of the motor city I allowed it to almost take over my formative years. A record collection covering every inch of floor space in my parents front room, all money earned spent on those records and tickets to see any touring Motown artist, as well as alienation from those classmates that actually liked groups such as the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones.

So would a night out at Motown’s greatest hits musical ‘Dancing in the Streets’ invoke pride or disappointment. I half knew the answer before the show even started having seen it half a dozen times in the West End, but was this cast going to come up to scratch? There is no doubt they would have the ammunition available to woo an already ‘on side’ audience but could they deliver?

Well it was nearly a 100% thumbs up from me, just a couple of slightly weaker performances along the way but if you like music, then you must like Motown and it goes without saying you will like this show.

My one downside on the night was the slight fuzziness around the sound. Assuming after all these years Ben Harrison has got the design spot on then perhaps it was just first night new theatre tweakings that were not quite there.

Our MC for the night, Courtney Buchanan, was the main sufferer sound wise as a number of his ‘luvvvv’ jokes were lost via the clarity problem. But ‘who cares’ when Sharn Adela delivers the numbers of Martha Reeves, Kim Weston and Gladys Knight with a soul deep satisfaction that makes a mockery of any sound system frailties and reignites the chemistry of the Tamla sound.

Robert Grose may not quite have the unique vocal soundings of Levi Stubbs but he leads us through an array of Four Tops smashes which within seconds have feet tapping, bodies swaying and plenty of lip synching.

Robert also is a main player as the Temptations burst forth and take the stage by storm, they are the most successful black group in history and, even minus a Melvin Franklin bass, we still get to lose ourselves in such magnificent numbers as ‘My Girl’, ‘Get Ready’, ‘Just My Imagination’. ‘Ain’t to Proud to Beg’ and the fantastic ‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’ with Helen Kurup as our Dianna Ross.

There are many others highlights’ with Nathaniel Morrison as Stevie Wonder, Paul Hazel as Smokey Robinson and, although not convinced by Ricado Coke Thomas as Lionel Richie on his solo or Commodores number, he comes together with Kurup for a wonderful version of Richie/Ross delivering, Motown’s biggest ever selling single, ‘Endless Love’.

The ‘not to be forgotten moment’ of the show though for me was the return of Morrison this time as the fabulous Marvin Gaye with a stunning performance culminating in the melodic pinnacle of the night ‘Let’s Get it On’.

Carole Todd has stayed close to history with her choreography as has costume designer Tony Priestley.

Once hooked you will never wriggle free and this addiction means I am already down to see the Four Tops (just one original member Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir) and the Temptations (only Otis Williams from the famous five) next week and Boyz II Men (three of the big four still on show) a few weeks later. Sugarbabes, eat your hearts out.

My advice, get on the blower to the Mayflower today. This sound will live forever and if you are not a Motown junky yet you sure will be by the time you leave the theatre.