Boulevard (Newcastle)

Boulevard, Newcastle

The drab exterior of Boulevard gives no clues that the inside is resplendent in purple and gold with a proscenium arch stage. Split in to three levels, standing, sitting and VIP, the interior is a sight to behold and all the staff are more than welcoming, efficient and extremely pleasant.

The evening takes the format of a series of mimed musical numbers, all of which are fairly short apart from the finale routine. In between the routines we are in the capable hands of Miss Rory, who keeps the comedy coming at full throttle. Thankfully those of us who want to sit back and enjoy the spectacle are left mainly alone, while regular patrons or those wanting to join in become the focus of the banter.

But the star of the evening is Simon Green, as Betty Legs Diamond, who performs all the cabaret sketches, sometimes alone or with a selection of dancers. The finale involves a musical number I saw him perform at his 2004 Royal Variety Performance appearance and it is as enjoyable today as it was then. He has brought his expertise as choreographer, dancer and star of Blackpool’s Funny Girls to Tyneside and provided us with one of the best theatrical based nights out you can have.

The summer show is performed until October, before a Halloween Special version leads us in to the Christmas schedule.