Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision

Glynn Nicholas Group/No Mates Productions


Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision
Every year the Fringe has at least one big, energetic, late night show that packs them in and promises its audience a good night out. It doesn't always deliver on that promise but this year's certainly does.
Eurobeat – Almost Eurovision is as glittery, glossy, camp, tacky and loud as they come. It's also – and this I didn't expect – slyly, sharply and even wittily funny in between the moments of broad, lay-it-on-with-a-trowel humour, which are so well done that they are funny too.

"As glittery,
glossy, camp,
tacky and loud
as they come
...has cult
status written
all over it"

The crucial word in the title is 'almost'. At times this is so close to being Eurovision that you could almost be there. Take for example the woefully under-rehearsed UK couple Rayner and Shiner, a boy/girl act who don't seem to have had the same wardrobe advisor. Then there's the Swedish act, AVLA, with their new number Same Old Song and the boys' teeth blinding the back row of the audience.
Some of the acts seem to have picked up tips from earlier generations. Greece's Persephone, for instance, with her black horn-rimmed glasses, or Iceland's Gert Grollmersdetter, with her strangely. varying voice pitch and her aggressive attitude.
One of my own favourites was Ireland's Ronan Corr, whose challenging lyrics, “La La La La”, emerged strongly from the smog of stage smoke that hid him from us and us from him. The classiest act by far was Germany's Nepotism with their post-modern, techno, Kraftwerk, Stockhausen style Be-Bop For Veronda. Short on words but high on pretension this should have won – but when did classy ever win Eurovision?
As so often it's the hostess who comes close to stealing the show. Boyka (Mel Giedroyc having the overdressed time of her life) has a clear contempt for her male co-host and a clear liking for some of the post-song, sweaty male torsos on display.
This Australian treat has cult status written all over it. High art or serious theatre this is most certainly not. Late night entertainment for an enthusiastic, cheering, whooping audience it certainly is. It's one of those rare shows that actually delivers more than it promises.

Victor Hallett

Reviewed August 2007 during the Edinburgh Fringe.

August 18-23 2008, His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 641122. www.eurobeatlive.co.uk

Have you seen this production? Share your views!

What the papers said:

The Herald:
*** "If you're one of the 10 million Brits who indulges, then chances are you'll love this faithful homage"

The Scotsman:
**** "A very silly show, perfect for a drunken night out, but also a deceptively clever one, equally enjoyable sober."

Current Reviews
Reviews Archive
Coming Up
Links

Interested in becoming a reviewer?
Email work samples

© OnstageScotland.co.uk

Hosted by www.1and1.co.uk