CityLife

Up Against The Wall

FIND your afro comb shades and your flares, if you've still got them,
because this seventies musical is a great way to kick off the Octagon's spring season.

A co-production between the Octagon and London-based Nitro, this new production is a revamped version of a show created 10 years ago by Felix Ross and Paulette Randall who also directs.

The story-line, as in most of these music-based shows, is extremely slight.

Henry (Donovan Blackwood) is the charismatic leader of The Emperors of Funk, a talented, but one hit wonder, seventies band. 

But it's no longer the seventies and they are eager to join an important Funkfest to prove their worth.

Trouble starts when new vocalist Gloria joins them, bearing an uncanny resemblance to recent ex-member Claudette and, as both characters are played by Ann- marie  Roberts, this is hardly surprising.

Dialogue

There's an amusing bit of dialogue between the two characters which leads to a funny solo fight.

The stage is packed with talent. There's a superb five-piece band and terrific vocal performances from Blackwood, Roberts and particularly AJ Lewis who has an extraordinary high tenor pitch.

The two backing singers speak in song-titles and there's over twenty great soul and funk songs from the seventies to keep the pace moving.

The audience enjoyed clapping along to Shaft, Sex Machine and Car Wash, so there's a bit of Earth, Wind and Fire as well as James Brown.

In fact you're never more than a couple of minutes away from the next number and my toes were certainly tapping.

It was great to see so many youngsters in the audience, having such a good time to music that was created long before they were born.

Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Up Against The Wall is at the Bolton Octagon until Saturday, February 28. Call 01204 520 664.

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