Blues Brothers Xmas Party
The classic 80’s film famed for its musicality gained a cult following and the subsequent Blues Brothers band tours have sold out world over ever since. A stage show then, as tribute to the soul-reviving band should be a refreshing, toe-tapping night out.
What a disappointment.
The Blues Brothers Xmas Party as it was slightly prematurely named was from start to finish a complete flop. The advertisements promise that “you’ll party like you’ve never partied before”, which was, strictly speaking, true; I’ve never not partied as much as I did yesterday evening...
The production team completely over-cooked their goose; the ridiculously loud speaker system would have drowned out the CIA, never mind the New Theatre; the show was set up like a gig, but the pair playing Jake and Elwood overacted to the point where it was awkward to watch them on stage; and the band pushed the music far too much and in parts we lost touch with any resemblance to the original track.
I spent most of the evening browsing thought the programme and watching others leave, holding their ears in mercy. However, I did spot the young Louis Walsh look-alike playing trumpet in the band, who was having far too much fun for his own good; at one point he was laughing so much from the saxophonist’s clearly pathetic joke, he missed his cue for one of the many loud blasts on his instrument.
Yeah, I was bored, because the singers were, quite clearly, aspiring Redcoats and the atmosphere was completely flat - every time we were encouraged to stand, moans could be heard as people gradually got up (many of whom promptly left). It all felt a bit fake and the only superlative I could come up with for this one was that it included some of the worst American accents I have ever heard. To top it all off, I discovered that very evening that The Magic Numbers were playing on the other side of town at the very same time. And I love the Magic Numbers.
Don’t get me wrong , I enjoy going to the New Theatre as much as any other New Theatre goer but this wasn’t its finest hour (by the way, the show lasted two and a bit hours in case you desire to know the length of my misery). I was genuinely looking forward to the moment I could step foot out of the theatre and feel the fresh breath of normality.
I can’t say I enjoyed The Blues Brothers Xmas Party. I could recommend the viewing of this show to you all; but then that would be mean.
Anyhow, showing until Saturday at the New Theatre.
