The Blues Brothers - Live!

Warning: this show will put you in a permanent state of happiness, fill your head with music and make you want to dance all day long. It is quite simply unmissable. Filled with an infectious sense of fun, Hartshorn-Hook's production literally rocks it. The production is slickly presented and fastly paced, with not even a nanosecond's slip. It does exactly what the audience wants and concentrates solely on the music and its presentation without trying to be unusual and quirky, and the audience love it for this. The vocal dexterity on display is amazing. The skilled performers switch easily from an earthy rock sound to one as smooth as chocolate in the softer numbers. Sex oozes out of every note, and the singers match this gorgeous sound with a string of slick and sassy choreography, which fully extends to the brass section!The fabulous Whisky Chasers provide the music and threaten to blow the roof off in some of the tightest musical direction I have seen at the Fringe this year. The rhythm and bass sections are fantastically tight in their timing, and when the saxophone starts to play up and down the aisles, even the stoniest audience member cannot help but be seduced by their sound.It is impossible to say that the band support the singers; here both are equally important and all get their moment to shine – even the audience! Within minutes, the first members were up dancing and many followed suite, actively encouraged by the company to join in. But it is never in danger of falling into chaos. The performers are too skilled and accomplished for the audience to feel anything but respect for them, and the way in which the audience immediately fell quiet for softer moments illustrated this superbly. Do not let the late night slot put you off. It is the most fun you can have with so many people in one room legally and it is the best way of ending your day ever. With a full house clamouring for more at the end of the show, get in quickly otherwise you may be in danger of disappointment. Everybody needs somebody to love – but these people are worthy of everybody's love.

Reviews by Damian Sandys

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The Blurb

Join the party as our suited and booted big band roar their way through an hour of rock and blues classics. Grab your shades and get ready for the Blues Brothers to blow you away. www.hartshornhook.com

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