The Magic Of Motown performed at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Friday 25th September 2015


Review by Kevin Cooper

The Royal Concert Hall was for one night only, transformed into Hitsville USA as The Magic Of Motown returned to Nottingham. Promising us a party, this revolving cast of four men and three women, backed by a very talented seven piece band, did not disappoint.

Opening the show with Papa Was A Rolling Stone, the audience were immediately up on their feet to dance and sing along to what turned out to be a gigantic karaoke party. With each of the singers having a role to play, there was no let up for this enthusiastic audience as the singing and dancing continued throughout the 36 back to back songs.

With some of the great Motown artists being represented, there were songs from Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight to name just a few. It was impossible to single out one particular highlight, because so varied and numerous were the selection of genuine classics.

There was a mass sing-a-long to such numbers as The O’Jays’ Love Train, and Marvin Gaye’s How Sweet It is (To Be Loved By You). Lionel Richie’s All Night Long was excellent before they went into the interval with Dancing On The Ceiling, which had even the Motown uninitiated on their feet.

The show ran at a breath-taking pace and whilst the audience had been warmed up in the first half, they were positively at boiling point for the second. The singers took up where they left off as they looked dazzling in scores of costume changes which brought fabulous colours and sequins to the glamour of the evening.

The vocals were terrific; the numbers diverse in style, tone and technique. The tempo was slowed right down for What’s Going On before turning up the heat with their phenomenal energy for The Four Tops Loco In Acapulco.

Defying anyone not to sing along to hits such as My Girl, this show had a visible, palpable, utterly joyous and infectious effect upon the audience. It was a wild and well thought out set, and to see these artists showing that there is no better way to earn a living than singing the songs that they so obviously love, was endearing.

With the show coming to an end far too soon, there was no forgetting that this fabulous music still has the ability to reunite people; bringing all ages together. Now that is the Magic Of Motown.