BOYS IN THE BAND

Boys in the Band.

 Written and directed by David Malek. Produced by David Malek and Dale Burridge of SMA Productions. The Q Theatre. Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre. Queanbeyan. October 13-15 2016

Reviewed by Peter Wilkins

Oh, what a night! Boy, will these boys blow you away with their high octane, full blast tribute to top of the crop boy bands of the five decades from the Fifties to the Nineties. For those members of the audience of my generation this show is a powerhouse blast from the past by four guys in the groove  who  can pump out the numbers of the bands with sheer gusto. Las Vegas comes to the Q Theatre with a show that is so slick it shimmies and shakes with moves that keep the tempo tight and the voices in perfect pitch and harmony. Backed by The Players on keyboard, guitar and drums, Jersey Boys lead, Simon McLachlan, Voice finalist Mat Verevis, Nana Matapule from Rent and Tom Struik from the opening ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games dish up a show that has audiences screaming for more after hit tunes by Franky Valli and the Four Seasons (Cherie), The Beatles (She Loves You Yeah, Yeah,Yeah), the Jackson 5 (Ben, sung by Nana Matapule),  The Spaniels (Goodnight Sweetheart), Simon and Garfunkel (Scarborough Fair), the Bee Gees (Staying Alive), the Beach Boys (Surfing USA) and Human Nature.  

Boys in the Band is pure cruise ship sparkle. These boys are top-liners and their show explodes with energy and machismo one minute and svelte sentiment the next taking the audience on a roller-coaster ride of nostalgia, excitement and first rate entertainment. Years of practice have got them working the audience with seductive moves and familiar songs. Unsuspecting John is cajoled to contribute the bass line on stage for The Spaniels’ Goodnight Sweetheart before an amused audience, and after a credible performance leaves with a CD in his hand.

Each performer is given his moment in the spotlight with memorable performances from Simon McLachlan with a beautiful rendition of the Righteous Brother’s Unchained Melody, Nana Matapule’s Hey Jude and Tom Struik and Mat Verevis’s Simon and Garfunkel Medley.

For a great night out and a foot tapping hip-swaying arms-waving time with this super talented cool tribute band, Boys in the Band is entertainment with a capital E that will have you swinging and singing all the way home.