North Pier Theatre, Blackpool > Reviews > 2007 Shows, North Pier Theatre, Blackpool

Author's product rating:   

Prices	Good
Is it worth visiting?	Excellent
Transport links	Excellent
Family Friendly	Excelllent

Advantages:	Nostalgic, family entertainment at a fair price .
Disadvantages:	The weather !  Good eating houses away from the Pier are a long walk .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Having visited the North Pier Theatre in July 2007 to see two shows, namely Music Music Music and Liberace Live From Las Vegas, I was highly impressed with the quality of the entertainment and was dismayed to hear that the Theatre might be closed for 2008. Fortunately, this is not to be and it now looks as if there will be a full season of great entertainment, which is I gather, presented by the same people who presented the two 2007 shows that I saw.

MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC was a presentation of what used to be The Black and White Minstrel Show, although political correctness prevented the company from 'blacking-up'. There were songs in the 'old' tradition of George Mitchell and the cast contained original Minstrels cast members Bob Hunter and Les Want who were supported by a very lively company, The Minstrel Maids with some absolutely stunning costumes and The Michael Wooldridge Showband.
If anyone is still in any doubt as to whatever happened to Syd Little - there he was too, all the way from Fleetwood!! with a great act in his own style, with music and mirth and a tale or two about his old pal, Eddie Large.
One of the funniest performances I have ever seen was by The Great Catastrophe, with some great magic and much clowning about and there were not only songs in the Minstrel's style, such as Camptown Races, but there were also other great themes such as The Three Cabaleros, Viva Latin America and a musical tribute to the Armed Forces.
The finale was also in true Minstrels tradition with a moving rendition of The American Trilogy followed by The Saints, but for me the crowning glory was a wonderful tribute to the music of Al Jolson, by veteran performer Les Want who not only had the audience singing along, but told some wonderful Jolson anecdotes, which gave an otherwise unknown insight into a bygone era.
A thoroughly recommended performance by the entire company.

LIBEARCE LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS also featured the Michael Wooldridge Showband who provided accompanying music for the 'Bob Fosse Dancers', an act in their own right, but who also supported the ever popular Bobby Crush, who is still a great pianist and was certainly able to 'pull it off', imitating the great Liberace. As you would expect from "The Greatest Showman of All Time" there was total flamboyance complete with all those colourful costumes, candelabras and rings and many of the quotations attributable to Liberace.
Alan Becks was Dean Martin as Liberace's "guest" and of course sang 'Dino' songs in true 'Dino' style and sang a couple of duets with Liberace. Quite a performance designed to satisfy the most discerning Dean Martin fans.
Bobby Crush as Liberace even had the audience participating in some lively Boogie Woogie and absolutely 'wowed' them by coming down off the stage to greet them personally, and to show off that fabulous jewellery.
Apparently some original costumes had been loaned by The Liberace Foundation in the USA along with some marvellous chandeliers and they even managed some live fountains on stage!
Another stunning performance, which I wouldn't be surprised to see in the West End of London.

I have since found a website containing these two great shows (amongst others) which is: www.thatsentertainmentproductions.co.uk and contains photos and some videos of the shows.

Value for money? Undoubtedly, and although it's an elderly theatre, the fabric is still in good condition. Unfortunately, the pier tramway broke down some time ago, but the good news is that there is now a golf buggy service along the pier, to relieve tired legs.

Complaints? One or two - a bit of a trot along the length of the pier in search of adequate sustenance. Toilet facilities were frugal but adequate and the temperature could have been a tad higher at the beginning, but I did spot some 'space-heaters' and they were used to good effect.