Everyone around the world is more than ready for a brand new beat as Motown the Musical, the ultimate in jukebox musicals, continues its smash hit UK tour celebrating the 60th anniversary of the legendary Motown record label that was home to soul sensations.
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With no less than 50 smash hits, this exciting production rolls through the life and songs of Berry Gordy, founder of a record label that defined a generation.
Expect timeless classics such as Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, My Girl, I Heard it Through The Grapevine and Dancing in the Street.
The fast-paced, show roars onto the stage from the opening beats as the audience are swept along in the nostalgia and deep love of all things Motown.
The story begins with Gordy (Edward Baruwa) refusing to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of his record label, disillusioned with feeling abandoned by the acts that he nurtured and the label on the brink of bankruptcy.
Cue a flashback to the beginning of the story as we watch the journey of Gordy as he builds up the record label, starting with £800 borrowed from his family, then going on to sign Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and The Jackson 5.
The audience whoop and cheer through every well-loved track, as each polished act storms onto the stage with an incredible energy and stage presence.
The plot plays a supporting role to the music, however the love story between Barry Gordy and Diana Ross is a main feature of the show and details her journey from a young girl to a superstar.
Their on stage chemistry sizzled with Anderson in particular delivering an impeccable performance. The choreography is highly polished. Choreographers Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams have gone to great lengths to ensure that some of the classic Motown moves are recreated in the characteristics of each individual act.
The incredible costume designs by Emilio Sosa are visually stunning, with no expense spared recreatin the outfits, including Diana Ross’s famous red dress and the shiny suits of the Temptations.
The set design featured clever lighting and plenty of computerised visual effects with archive footage from the original time period as well as news footage of important historical events such as the assassination of JFK, the assassination of Martin Luther King and the Vietnam War to set a context for the issues for black artists in America at the time.
The show is not just a showcase of musical performances. It deals with issues of racism, acceptance, bitter rivalry, strained relationships and the ultimate price of fame and fortune.
A particular scene where various acts perform in the deep south, where whites and blacks were segregated and police brutality was the norm, reminded the audience of social context that surrounded the label’s success.
Motown music did more than entertain, it provided a voice for a generation. As Ray Charles once said “What is soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.”
Motown The Musical is an incredible fast paced entertaining journey which will certainly have you leaving the auditorium ready for dancing in the street.
Tickets available until Saturday 16th November.