All the Fun of the Fair

Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of a travelling funfair and packed with dazzling stunt sequences, hilarious crafty cons and plenty of rock ‘n’ roll, All the Fun of the Fair is an action-packed musical from legendary singer and songwriter David Essex and the creator of Boogie Nights, Jon Conway. Widower and funfair owner Levi Lee (David Essex) is struggling to fend off the unwelcome attentions of an alluring and attractive divorcee whilst trying to keep up with the ins and outs of his son’s tangled love life and lofty ambitions. And what is he to make of the dangerous predictions of the fair’s mysterious gypsy fortune teller, warning him about what the future has in store? Inspired by David’s debut album, this roller-coaster ride is underscored by a helter-skelter of hits such as Winter’s Tale, Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You A Star, Me and My Girl Nightclubbing, Silver Dream Machine and Rock On. So roll on up and get your tickets now for this beautiful, modern musical love-story with a heartbreaking twist.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 29 April 2010

As an excuse for a musical based on one of his albums, David Essex hasn’t aimed all that high: a string of old hits, a fairground on the skids, a Jack-the-lad son two-timing the fortune-teller’s daughter with the daughter of a shady entrepreneur, East End “watcher cocks” and lots of coloured lights and cuddly toys.

But in its own honest, rather stilted way, the show has a beguiling melodramatic charm, and Essex as Levi Lee, the boss in a pork pie hat and tightly packed jeans, has several poignant moments of mock vanity when he admits that the older he gets, the better he was.

The Essex voice sounds these days as if coming strained through a tea towel, but with its emphatically Cockney vowels, parched timbre and casual inflections, it was always a fairly distinctive pop instrument, and it served him well on stage in Godspell and Evita, less so in his own project, Mutiny.

The songs are less wittily strung together than they are ...

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Latest User Review

Jenny Morris - 24 March 2012:

Seen it tonight in Hull. I saw the touring version about two years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't catch the West End run, but thought I'd go to see it again locally. A few changes from the first time, but they worked well, especially the Silver Dream machine scene. Loved it again, David Essex is still charismatic as Levi. Some of the original cast has changed, I think, but pleased to see Louise English was still there as Rosa. Overall, a slightly different version, but still a great night out....

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