Download www.theatreguide.com.au EUROBEAT: ALMOST EUROVISION

www.theatreguide.com.au
Supporting live theatre in Adelaide
PO Box 10278
ADELAIDE BC SA 5000
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ABN : 93 297 960 525
EUROBEAT: ALMOST EUROVISION
Glynn Nicholas Group Production
Her Majesty’s Theatre
Until 23 July 2006
Review by Stephanie Johnson
The Eurovision Song Contest, held in Europe and shown on Australian television with UK commentator
Terry Wogan’s dry comments, is funny. Glynn Nicholas’ “Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision” satirical send-up
is hilarious!
The song contest lends itself to satire and Nicholas’ production has milked every ounce of humour
possible in a professional musical stage spectacular.
It is funny, fresh, originating in Melbourne and likely to develop a cult following as it gains momentum
throughout Australia and on to Europe and beyond.
This cheeky production, directed by Nicholas with Associate Director, Craig Christie and Musical Director,
Andrew Patterson, starts with the song contest being hosted by the unlikely Sarajevo, BosniaHerzegovina.
Hosts Sergei, played with boyish charm by Jason Geary, and Bronya, the irrepressible Julia Zemiro,
launch the evening on a spectacular set ideal for such a contest. Their banter and comedic skills
delightfully link the different acts.
Twelve countries are competing in this upbeat, offbeat Eurobeat. All of the performers are top notch
singers and dancers.
The singing and dancing extravaganzas are sometimes cheeky, often raunchy, rarely subtle and always
entertaining. Estonia’s “Together Again” by Toomas Jerker and The Stone Hard Boys is a fine example of
raunchy but not subtle. Greece’s “Oh Aphrodite” by Persephone is a cheeky send-up of Nana Mouskouri
and Sweden’s “Same Old Song” by singing sensation AVLA needs no further explanation.
Dance moves by choreographers Natalie Marsland, Grant Dale and Andrew Hallsworth, add humour to
an already comical script. Costumes designed by Richard Jeziorny are suitably flamboyant for such a
spectacular send-up.
When the lights go down on the final contestant, the audience is called on to vote. The interval is used
to count the votes and the second half proceeds with a hilarious spectacular and vote counting.
If you are a Eurovision fan then you mustn’t miss Bronya, Sergei and their contest from the “artistic
heartlands” of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Even if you have never seen a Eurovision contest you will get no better introduction to the contest that
unites Europe as perhaps nothing else can, not even the World Cup! Either way Eurovision will never
seem the same again!