Eurobeat Pride of Europe

Eurobeat Pride of Europe

Wallasey Musical Theatre Company

20/5/25

"Eurobeat - The Pride of Europe" is a musical comedy that parodies the Eurovision Song Contest, set in the fictional microstate of Liechtenstein. The show features ten countries competing with songs ranging from power ballads to comedy, with the audience deciding the winner. The glamorous Marlene Cabana (Stuart Wilson-Maher) hosts the event delivering cheeky drag comedy and leading the audience along on this wild ride adding to the fun and absurdity, she also had the most fabulous outfits. A great performance.

I first saw Eurobeat over ten years ago, and although the songs and location have changed, all the things we love about the real Eurovision have been highlighted and ramped up as we poke fun at cultural stereotypes and elements of Eurovision that have become legendary, questionable key changes, over the top and sometimes mystifying songs and outrageous costumes. Music and lyrics are by Craig Christie, arranged by Craig Bryant who mercilessly mimics previous Eurovision winners and range of genres. There’s great fun to be had in recognising the inspiration behind each of the ten entries. From the ten European countries Sweden, Romania, UK, Lituania, Greece, Portugal, Vatican City, France, Norway plus Australia (your guess is as good as mine) battle it out to be crowned “The Pride of Europe” with numbers ranging from power ballads to comedy.

The opening song ‘Semaphore of Love’ came from Sweden, sung by Heidi Hodgson was reminiscent of Sweden’s actual Eurovision win in 2012.  Romania was represented by the larger-than-life Tia Gill, who sang the powerful spookily dramatic ballad ‘Listen’ magnificently. United Kingdom was represented by Gemma Stott and Matthew Kasprzak, with their soulful ballad ‘Why don’t you Love Me’.  Sinead Buckley and Jane Hughes, “This is how we dance” but no dancing hilarious, was the Lituania entry. ‘Oh Aphrodite’ the Greek entry powerfully delivered by the talented Adelle Riley-Bell. The utterly charming Liam Wilson sang the soulful ‘Guy with a Guitar’ the Portugal entry; the audience loved him.   Vatican City entry ‘Good Girl’, sang by Tink Kirby, Sinead Buckley, Stace Elton, Janyne Scott, Claire Kirby and Francesca Anyon, looking reminiscent of the cast of Sister Act were joyous to watch.  The heartbreaking French entry ‘Je Vous Deteste Tour’ soulfully sung in French by Jane Hughes, however a backscreen malfunction showed the song in English, with the words displayed at double speed, while a member of the stage crew (Helen Bennet) failing miserably to fix the situation. Hilarious. The Norway entry ‘We are Vikings’ reintroduces to the contest, Tia Gill (plays an inebriated women), Jonathan Harvey and Chris Steele, what a number this is, full of energy, total madness, the ideal Eurovision entry, it was splendid.  Closing the show was Tink Kirby, Sinead Buckley, Stacey Elton, Claire Kirby, Francesca Anyon, Freddie Dale and Millie Riccardi-Harvey representing Australia. The fact that Australia is not in Europe was not an issue: So crazy!!  At this point I would like to mention Johnathan Harvey and Millie Riccardi-Harvey for their great performances as Kevin Kupferblum and Fanny Freiberger, Liechtenstein's cultural ambassadors, and Chris Steele as Bjorn Bjornson, the master of protocols, they were all marvellous.

This was a true team production, with everyone taking on more than one role, their energy as contagious, full of smiles the audience loved it. Well done to Director Matt Kasprzak great casting, great crew:  Stage Manager Helen Bennet, Lighting Steve Dale, Sound Joe Anderson. Choreography Jessica Martin, Vote Wrangler Sue Marsdon and Marlenes Zip Manager Hayley Dale. We also have thanks to Stuart Wilson Maher, Francis Anyon and Adele Riley-Bell for their contribution to the staging of this production.

We are joined by Marlene and Bjorn as the votes are counted, with the contestants gathered in the Green Room at the beginning of the second half of this chaotic contest.  At the interval the audience voted for their winner: a la Eurovision. The deserved winner on the evening I attended was Australia ‘Oh Steve’ I later found out was a comedy take on the late Steve Irwin. This entry served up an excellent dose of billabong nonsense, a neurotic dancing squid plus some very creative choreography.

A good production of Eurobeat Pride of Europe should remind you that Eurovision, as much as we love it, is actually organised chaos, total madness. That’s exactly what we enjoyed in this show by Wallasey Musical Theatre Company, utterly bonkers and a lot of fun. Thank you for my invitation it was a real blast.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

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