Theatre review - Eurobeat, The Churchill, Bromley

11:55am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Eurovision Song Contest spoof Eurobeat gets full points from Geoff Billingsley

Be honest now, do you watch the Eurovision Song Contest? I haven't seen it since I fell in love with the divine Dana in 1970. But I did see Eurobeat, the musical stage show fronted by two hilarious presenters "live from Sarajevo" Boyka (Mel Giedroyc) and Sergei (Les Dennis).

The show sees 10 countries compete in front of watching millions - well, several hundred at The Churchill, Bromley and did they make a racket.

Each country sings a typically crass composition, except the Germans, who act out something very strange indeed called Be-Bop For Veronda.

Ireland and the UK have the most memorable tunes. Scott Garnham as Ronan Carr sings La La La for the Emerald Isle but the UK entrants - Rayne and Sheiner, played by Adam Charles-Hills and Natasha Jayetileke - sing the hilarious I Love to Love to Love (Love) and it really does have the sickly Eurovision sound to it. It certainly gets my vote.

Mel Giedroyc stands out as co-host Boyka, what a brilliant comic she is. Also, ensemble members Sarah Cahalarn (Iceland, Hungary and Germany) and Kay Murphy (Iceland, Greece and Sweden) are outstanding.

This is a complete load of rubbish, but extremely funny and entertaining rubbish. Terry Wogan on the big screen, contestants' reactions to votes from the green room and the chance to vote live by text, using your mobile. It's one of those shows you won't believe, not even the next day.