Spring in their steps
SIMON DUKE REVIEWS THE SPRING SHOW AT NEWCASTLE’S BOULEVARD
BOULEVARD’S spring offering really is the red hot gift that keeps on giving.
The production’s team behind the Churchill Street cabaret club’s shows for all seasons are aficionados at blending the theatrical with the mainstream, and the Spring production spans the decades and the genres with the fabulous finesse Boulevard’s patrons have become accustomed to.
Its leading lady Danni Dee, who has been in post for nearly two years now, also has a real knack at meshing glam with goofy, giving even the most highbrow of routines a comedic edge.
I could lavish praise on every one of the Spring Show’s numbers for different reasons but I wouldn’t want to completely spoil things for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.
Safe to say it is one of those pieces that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.
The words on the page couldn’t do justice to the colourful, camp and contagious feel good factor it boasts.
And that is there loud and clear in the We Will Rock You medley, which would have even the most conservative of audience members reaching for their air guitar!
An homage to the musical genius of the late, great and powerhouse performer that was Freddie Mercury, hits like Radio GaGa, Another One Bites The Dust and of course We Will Rock You are delivered with tremendous vigour and conviction by Danni and the always technically en pointe Broadway dancers.
Each new Boulevard production raises the bar where choreography is concerned but the dancers continue to rise to the challenge with demanding routines and impressive lifts.
Another high point for me was the ethereal turned expeditious nod to Madonna’s time in the role of Eva Peron as Evita’s calling card Don’t Cry For Me Argentina switched gears to transform into a fierce flamenco floorfiller.
The standard and energy levels never drop throughout proceedings which are all compered with her own unique brand of charm by Miss Rory.
The show is like a best of what Boulevard does best.
The Sister Act section is a epic slice of high octane holiness, complete with sequin robes and habits, and the finale is like a hen party’s Lambrini drenched dream soundtrack.
Guilty pleasures like Supersister’s Coffee, Sinitta’s So Macho and finally Denice William’s Let’s Hear it for The Boy ensure that things build to a cheesy crescendo.
It’s Raining Men on stage and it’s raining stars for Boulevard – a very easy 5 out of 5.
Boulevard’s Spring Show is on until May 27. Tickets are available online from www.boulevardnewcastle.co.uk.