REVIEW: The Magic Of Motown at the Kings Theatre, Southsea

The show opened with the collective singing of Papa Was Rolling Stone, but the choreography from the off seemed limited and amateur.

Saying that, one of the well-thought-out routines was to my favourite Motown track of all time, Smokey Robinson’s Tears Of A Clown which had the four-piece performing like puppets on a string. Dressed in glitter and sparkles and defining the sophistication of the era, the Diana Ross Act took to the stage, but her powerful vocals were stifled by the band, who were exceptionally loud over the top of these otherwise talented crooners.

Someone must have had a word at half-time because the second half was much more enjoyable and it showed as the audience stayed on their feet. There was so much more energy from the performers and itcame through with in a string of Stevie Wonder classics.

Full credit goes to the man in the bandana who performed the hits on key like a real showman.