UK Theatre Network

Dancing In The Streets

Darlington Civic Theatre

The magic of Motown is sensationally celebrated in this spectacular show that includes hits by The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight. Okay, so the format’s a bit like Motown meets Matthew Kelly in the sense that the performances are delivered in a Stars In Their Eyes style. However, that didn’t stop the audience at Darlington from ‘gettin’ on down’ and having a great night to remember.

Before long, Dancing In The Streets had them dancing on their feet. Whilst some shows metaphorically bring the house down, there was a real danger that this one would bring the dress circle down as the balcony groaned and vibrated to the pounding rhythm of three hundred pairs of feet.

Songs including You Can’t Hurry Love, My Girl, Please Mr Postman and, of course, the title number reverberate throughout the auditorium and remind us just how good the golden era of Motown really was.

The performances on stage are loosely linked together by master of ceremonies who provides an easily digestible chronological history of the record label and its artists. A joyful celebration of the genre and its lasting legacy.

STEVE BURBRIDGE.

‘Dancing In The Streets’ runs at Darlington Civic Theatre until Saturday 17 October 2009.