Dancing in the Streets (Tour – Manchester)

In 2009 Motown Records celebrated 50 chart busting years – a huge accomplishment, and after watching Dancing in the Streets,  it’s easy to see why.

Imagine if all the greats from from this iconic record label got together to go out on one big tour, everyone from The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye etc., that is essentially what you get with this show, a night of some of the best music the world has ever produced.
 
What is so great about this show is that it comes without bells and whistles, sure the set design is nice and the lighting adds something special to each moment, but all you really need are the great songs, great band and great performances, and this show has all of that in abundance.
 
The first half of the show storms through hit after hit, the audience could hardly stay in their seats as Diana Ross and The Supremes raised the roof with a perfect medley of their biggest hits and Stevie Wonder took us back to some of his greatest moments. Performances of songs including “(Love is like a)  Heat wave” and “River Deep, Mountain High” are delivered to perfection and the Four Tops section is nothing short of sensational.

Unfortunately Act two loses its tempo a little in the beginning but it soon picks up the pace again with a great set by The Temptations.  The cast are all superb and it would be unfair to single anyone out, as they are all perfect performers.

It’s always a risk with shows like Dancing in the Streets that spend a lot of time on tour that the cast can simply go through the motions, but here you get high energy and talent on stage, and a freshness – as if they are all doing it for the very first time.
 
This show is more concert than musical but if you are fan of the Motown music then that is all your need, Motown itself was all about these brilliant songs and so is this show. One thing this show makes you think about when you walk or dance out of the theatre is ‘they sure don’t make music like that anymore.’

We may not have the real artists themselves, but we sure had the next best thing – it’s not on for long but Dancing in the Streets is worth your hard earned cash. So, “Stop! In the Name of Love” and get a ticket!

– Craig Hepworth

(Reviewed at the Palace Theatre, Manchester)