FANS: not a review, exactly @thesixtwenty

It sounded as if the audience had a great evening judging by the noise they made.

The same for the FANS on stage, Chris Foley, Charlie Raine, Andrew Bleakley and Alex Tahnee. Playing Chris, Charlie, Andrew and Meghan.

The show was written by Nina Berry and directed by Melanie Rashbrooke who together co-created the original idea. Chris Foley is the show's musical director. Stage lighting and soundscaping is by Craig Spence.

It was a brilliant way to spend an evening (or in my case four evenings and most of four afternoons).

The concept of gig theatre is to make a theatre experience like going to a gig. Attract a different audience to the theatre. A great idea of creative producer Graeme Thompson and others at Live Theatre to experiment by letting their attractive front of house be -er- adapted to provide a more gig venue like experience.

From "BAR" in masking tape on the floor, to posters of past gigs on the wall, listening booths and a chance to strike the pose with a guitar and microphone. But more of that in another post.

Let's hope a few fledging bands started here.

Here's a few pictures from the show.

Charlie's early emo phase (and Andrew with a Fan)

Chris plays the blues instead of Green Day for a moment

Andrew waits massively for the teardrop to explode

Meghan/Alex hits a new and rather funky bass-line

Here's my shortened extract from what The Stage has written:

"An energetic mash up of theatre and live gig, Fans is an insightful and often very funny exploration of the love of music: the bands and singers who move us, and why.

A fledgling band’s rehearsal is derailed by a debate as to their name. Madonna-mad Charlie wants to pay tribute to her icon, which doesn’t go down well with Green Day-obsessed Chris. Meghan has such expansive, eclectic tastes she finds it impossible to narrow down, while peacemaker Andrew is caught in the middle.

Each of them gives us their musical biography, punctuated by snatches of songs, a mix of classics and original pieces, cleverly used (all played and sung live by the cast).

Inspired by real-life recorded ‘confessions’ there is no earth-shattering drama here: more common experiences, pleasingly played out, from embarrassing emo phases to the bittersweet anxiety and anticipation of making someone a mix tape.

Fluidly directed .. with enormous charm (and) performed with verve by an immensely likeable cast."

Come see it on tour!