Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision (Sarajevo)

In 2007, Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision exploded on the Edinburgh Fringe and has appeared practically every year since with a few tweaks. Even now, it’s still pulling in the audiences.

If you’re looking for bubblegum theatre to fill an hour you’ve got it with this show.

The annual cheese-fest is being held in Sarajevo and Edinburgh audiences are invited to support the final nine countries as they strive to win the contest. As we enter we are given the flag of the country we’re going to support, plus a plastic clapper and hooter in order to make as much racket as possible.

Waiting for the show to start it’s a wonder the companies above and below the +1 theatre in C venues don’t complain, such was the roar of noise coming from the joint. The show starts and we are introduced to the hosts. Clearly a send up of Eurovision, what follows is an hour of cheesy songs, cheesy dance moves and even cheesier costumes.

The cast perform the piece well and are obviously enjoying themselves with a show that skims over the best of Eurovision without the politics. If you’re looking for bubblegum theatre to fill an hour you’ve got it with this show. You can wave your phone about with wild abandon as you get to vote for the winner yourself. It’s loud, it bright, it pointless it’s Eurovision and this production deliver what it says on the tin!