In early-Sixties Motor Town Detroit, local kids were looking for a style of music they could call their own.
They found it at the Motown Hitsville studio.
Part narrative, part concert-style, Dancing In The Streets celebrates Motown's overflowing catalogue of hits, including I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Baby Love, My Girl, I'll Be There and Tears Of A Clown.
In 1959, Berry Gordy, a former boxer turned songwriter with his first hit Reet Petite under his belt and a loan of $800 from his family, decided to form his own record company and so, in a timber-frame bungalow, Tamla Motown Records was born.
The label built one of the most impressive rosters of artists in the history of pop music - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross And The Supremes, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.
An industrious staff of songwriters, producers and session musicians was also assembled and by 1964, Motown became the largest and most successful independent record company in the US, breaking down barriers both socially and musically.
In the production - more concert than musical - Ray Shell plays a former Hitsville soundman who, in recalling the label's glory days, introduces the singers.
A young, vibrant cast brings new freshness to these old classics, infusing them with energy and enthusiasm, ably assisted by an eight-piece onstage band, paying homage to the incredible Funk Brothers, who were recently featured in their own documentary, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown.
Expect plenty of hip-shimmering sequins, Supremes-style white dresses and sharp suits for the men. Now in its third year, the show is directed by Ivor Novello Awardwinning Keith Strachan and presented by the team behind The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas.
Carole Todd's choreography captures the period with authenticity, while making it relevant to a modern audience.
"I do an awful ot of musicals," says Carole, "everything from Tommy to Mario Lanza. The great thing about what I do is being able to delve into a genre and really get into it. I have trawled through reels and reels of old footage for this show and recreated the look as much as possible.
"There is an added edge, too, to give it more impact. It is definitely worth seeing," she adds. "You will be up on your feet and dancing in the aisles by the end of the first number."
Mon-Fri 7.30pm, Thur mat 2.30pm, Sat 4.30pm & 8pm, £14.50-£24.50, 08700 606650.
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