Spellbinding Motown Magic Despite The Dry Ice!

Taken as an entire show The Magic of Motown at Bradford St George’s Hall last night, was wonderfully entertaining but, without the superb four boy line up, it would have struggled as the challenges of dry ice left at least one of the weaker female leads gasping for breath.

And, therein lies the problem, so easy to witness at one night tribute shows.

They need to be high impact because there’s only two hours in which to drench the audience in enough enthused adrenalin so that they are convinced enough to book another show be it The Beatles, Take That, or whatever ‘tribute’ the production company is pedalling at that moment.

However, such box office ambition comes with a double-edged sword: sometimes technical people or production teams, not always from performing backgrounds themselves, get carried away with the ‘spectacle’ of their sound and special effects.

This time the dry ice machine was in overload and was literally pumping into the faces of two backing singers for at least one entire number.

Now, if you have ever been on stage – and I have – and you get dry ice in the back of your throat, you will have a high old time singing (make that coughing) and, if you are a lead vocalist, then it can be your worst nightmare and poor ‘Misha’ the show’s Diana Ross lookalike had to grapple with that very problem.

Nevertheless, she and her two female wingers – a good working trio confident in their moves and lyrics – gave a solid account of themselves as the show delivered its canon of 1960’s classics from Ross, Smokey Robinson and The Jackson 5 through to The Four Tops, Martha Reeves and Stevie Wonder.

However, the four front men were, on this occasion, the strength of the entire show and really carried the vocals with not only tuneful pipes but a string of slick, well-choreographed moves.

As audience member Mary, part of Bradford Council’s Waste Department commented: “They were fantastic. I think I’ll be back in a few weeks to see the Abba tribute night.” Get my point?

And, because Mary was so complimentary about The Magic of Motown which, as I say, was highly entertaining – indeed St George’s was packed to the gills – it is safe to say that it represented a great night’s entertainment.

These days tribute shows are no longer something for the pub: they are full line ups with costumes, lighting, video and, indeed, full backing bands. They are serious business and last night was no exception.

Did I enjoy it? Absolutely and so did Brenda in the balcony – the lads sang to her all night – as did shy Olivia, who was invited on stage but, instead, opted to have a love song sung to her in front of the stage in the stalls.

It was a fun packed night, despite my minor misgivings and, somehow, I think Mary will be back once she’s returned from her holiday in America: at least she’ll get on the plane with a Motown spring in her step! Maybe she's going to Detroit, who knows?

The Magic of Motown, St George’s Hall, Bradford
Next Opportunity to See:
Victoria Theatre, Halifax April 26th