Review: Rock Around The Clock, Royal Concert Hall
THIS could be just what Mr Capello needs for his beleaguered team ... a bit of rock and roll in their football.
As Alan Hansen might say, this lot have got power and passion with pace to burn. Commitment, energy, no little talent and a couple of tasty strikers in lead vocalists Roxanne Pallett and Lucy Smethurst.
The all-action cast of top class singers and dancers kept it going for the full 90 minutes and never put a foot wrong as they passed one classic rock and roll hit after another to the eager and appreciative fans.
A midfield four of Jon Hawkins, Kurt Kansley, Simon Schofield and Michael Quinn went straight on the attack with a Bill Haley medley, the title song followed by Shake, Rattle and Roll and See You Later Alligator.
That set the tempo for a night of pure nostalgia that reminded everyone of exactly how the songs of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino et al changed the musical world.
All the songs were instantly recognisable but, cleverly, the arrangements didn't stick rigidly to the original, instead being moulded to fit the individual voices. The Elvis sequence featuring Hound Dog, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock and Can't Help Falling In Love was a perfect illustration of musical director Neil Dorward's tactics.
That forward line of singers was supported by a strong four-piece band and some fantastic dancers who dazzled with their clever choreography, setting up a Jerry Lee Lewis double -- Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shakin' -- to finish off a winning performance.
Andy Smart












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