Lots of fun in musical comedy show
OVER the last few years, FollowSpot Productions has established itself as a company specialising in intimate musical comedy and this latest show confirms its growing reputation in the genre, designed to provide audiences with undemanding entertainment and plenty of fun, all delivered with brio.
Anyone thinking this is simply a tribute show to Elton John and some of his contemporaries is mistaken – Ash Searle’s zesty opening speech in rhyming couplets makes it clear that the musical collage we are about to hear is inspired by the eclectic taste of KBT’s patrons who have sent in requests for hit songs of the late 20th Century, to include those by the likes of Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Cat Stevens, Sir Elton himself, Mick Jagger and Queen, among others. There is, in addition, more than a dash of originality (a FollowSpot trait) and humour in the presentation by the show’s quartet of performers, notably Searle.
As a gesture to the title of this medley, the three males in the cast start off sporting the goggle-like spectacles that became the signature of Elton John; one of the first numbers is an understated solo by James Harris at the piano with a rendering of Your Song. Thereafter diversity reigns as hits popularised by other stars are presented, featuring some nifty guitar playing from Harris and young Liam McDermott to accompany the vocals.
McDermott galvanises proceedings with the Mick Jagger hit, I Can’t Get No Satisfaction, and later with Hotel California; newcomer Hishin, tentative at first but growing in confidence, offers a smoky-voiced performance of Candle in the Wind, and Searle is full of his usual acrobatic energy throughout, mustering good vocals to boot. He cannot resist the temptation to tease the audience with a promise to play the piano before admitting his inability to do so, but he compensates with a rude song and a roguish smile as he celebrates the delights of bare breasts…
As the evening progresses, so does the level of performance from the less experienced members of the cast, culminating in suitably dynamic execution of a medley by Queen; We will Rock You lives up to its promise and elicits clapping and toetapping from the audience. No show celebrating music by Elton John would be complete without
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart and this is just the right song to send everyone home in a happy frame of mind. Vintage FollowSpot.