David Essex still going strong in All The Fun of The Fair at Bradford Alhambra (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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David Essex still going strong in All The Fun of The Fair at Bradford Alhambra
10:40pm Tuesday 25th October 2011 in Reviews By Emma Clayton
David Essex stars as Levi in All The Fun of The Fair
Whenever I hear that a show is ‘inspired’ by the hits of a band or artist, my heart sinks a little.
I’ve seen enough frothy jukebox musicals to know that they’re usually just a flimsy plot held together by a few familiar songs.
There are exceptions, however, and this show is one of them.
Set in the late 1970s, the gritty but warm-hearted tale of fairground folk coasts along like a light rock opera. It’s only when you hear David Essex songs like Rock On, Gonna Make You a Star and Silver Dream Machine that you remember how good they are – and here they fit well with the action.
Ian Westbrook’s impressive set and Ben Cracknell’s atmospheric lighting have created an authentic-looking fairground, complete with shabby stalls, dodgems racing around the stage, carousel horses bobbing in the air, and the thrilling roar of the Wall of Death.
David Essex, fresh from Albert Square to play stalwart Levi, showed he still has the voice, the moves and the twinkle in his eye to get his fans whooping.
Strong performances came too from Rob Compton as Levi’s headstrong son Jack, and David Burrows and Barry Bloxham as Life on Mars-style Seventies villains.
A show with a big heart, and enough nostalgic appeal for anyone who recalls being spun around on the waltzers by dangerous lads in flared jeans.
It runs until Saturday.
seasidebantam says...
5:43pm Wed 26 Oct 11
david essex still has his gravelly trade mark voice, the lighting was great but the show and the rest of the cast were terrible amatuer dramatics would be a compliment the story was flimsy the acting was wooden and at times cringing the actor who played johhny when he eventually sang had a great pair of lungs on him but it wasnt enough for over 2 hours of drivel, the ladies in the audience still clapped and cheared and swooned at david essex which is to be expected.
marks out of ten? 4