The Blues Brothers Party

"If you are a fan of the movie or simply appreciate wonderful music, this show is for you" : an over ambitious statement on a show that delivers an enjoyable cabaret for the price of a musical. There is no doubt of the lead actors' talent, or that of the accompanying Magnificent Seven Blues Band, but Duncan Walsh Atkins’ The Blues Brothers Party lacks the style, thought and panache of the original movie.

The Blues Brothers evolved from a Saturday Night Live sketch starring Dan Ackyroyd and John Belushi, as Elwood J Blues and Jake Blues - the founding members of a Blues band. This premise proved so successful it spurned several hit albums, movies and cultivated many tribute shows across the world - a phenomenon continued by the two hundred people who were clearly itching to don their porkpie hats at the Festival Theatre and get their rhythm and blues on. Unfortunately, The Blues Brothers Party seems to have an identity crisis of what it’s trying to be. The only answer offered is the broad description on the flyer that invites the audience to a party. All the ingredients are there for a tribute show- the characters, the songs and those costumes but it’s never fully delivered.

There's no introduction to the songs, other than a few mumbled one liners and the occasional spot of tomfoolery between the brothers, leaving any novices wondering where, or indeed what, the plot is. Luckily any momentary bewilderment is soothed by the well known showstoppers of 'Mustang Sally' and 'Jailhouse Rock' which can’t fail to get an audience onto their feet. Elwood (Trevor Jary) and Jake (Simon Connolly) delivered the songs perfectly, creating some tender moments with their individual slow numbers. Jary in particular demonstrated a superb vocal capability with his rendition of 'Rubber Biscuit', the popular tongue twister.

The show’s lack of impact cannot be blamed on the artists but rather their budgeted background. The staging and the setting was reminiscent of a church hall Am Dram performance, with minimal lighting and a bland black stage. What this show does achieve successfully, however, is a relaxed atmosphere where both performers and spectators feel they can sing their hearts out. Each song had not been practised within an inch of its life creating an experience that everyone felt they could be a part of, rather than being forced back into their seats to observe a piece of high art.