UK Theatre Network

Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance

Darlington Civic Theatre

 If you love Lloyd-Webber, go ga-ga for Gershwin, or sing-along to Sondheim, then Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance is the show for you! In a nutshell, it is a celebration of all things musical – be it from the West End, Broadway or the Silver Screen.

Seven sensational singers and dancers take the audience on a memorable musical journey that encompasses seven decades in a mere two hours. Well, what’s not to like about that, eh?

You’d be hard-pushed to think of a show that is not included in this terrific, toe-tapping treat. Without leaving the comfort of the Civic’s plush red seats, you are transported to the American Wild West (Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma!), Olde Worlde London (Oliver!, Mary Poppins and Sweeney Todd), the streets of Liverpool (Blood Brothers) and the magical land of Oz (Wicked).

The cast work their socks off throughout and are backed by a band that never hits a note out of tune. Numbers are choreographed with panache and precision and executed with energy and enthusiasm.

Certain sections are used to pay homage to the best in the business, including Lord Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim, whilst others celebrate the increasingly prolific ‘juke-box musical’ or provide a fast and furious four-minute round-up of the productions that ate currently wowing the West End.

Only a couple of minor irritations detracted from this production. One was a couple of old codgers at the rear of the stalls who talked incessantly throughout the performance, whilst the other was some sloppy production standards that resulted in a polystyrene beam that fell from the stage into the auditorium and projection images being shown out of synch with the musicals they were designed to illustrate.

If, like me, you’re a self-confessed musical junkie then you will want to ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’ and head straight for the theatre. If not, then you’ll want to yell ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’.

Steve Burbridge.

Runs until Saturday 18th September