Saturday night saw the final preview party of the 2018 season in Madrid. In less than a week this year’s Eurovision artists will start arriving in Lisbon and rehearsals will be in full swing by Sunday morning. But there was still time for a bit of Eurovison fun in London’s West End last night as West End Eurovision returned after a 4 year break, bringing fun, high camp, and lots of attention to sexual health and HIV/AIDS.
West End Eurovision is a fundraising initiative run by the Make A Difference Trust, a charity which raises funds for HIV and AIDS projects that build awareness and provide care, support and education in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Eurovision event sees the cast and crew of top West End musicals perform their own take on past Eurovision entries and compete for the crown, whilst raising pots of money for the charity. As my day-job is as Chief Executive of a charity whose work includes HIV and sexual health support, what better way to combine my passions on a jolly romp of a night out.
I’ve been before, but I forgot just how much attention the various casts put into this. The detail, humour and creativity in each performance is astonishing. The whole show is laid-back, with plenty of theatre industry in-jokes and a great atmosphere with a crowd who were completely up for a party. We took up our place in one of the boxes, some friends in the audience taking our photos from across the auditorium, and making reference to the grumpy old men in The Muppets. Harrumph!
Last night eight shows took part, all donating their time for free. The line-up included some unlikely numbers, although even the evergreen classics were performed with a twist. Here’s the list:
Hamilton – Cliché Love Song (Denmark 2014)
Young Frankenstein – Take Me To Your Heaven (Sweden 1999)
42nd Street – Boom Bang A Bang (UK 1969)
Kinky Boots – Warrior (Georgia 2015)
Phantom of the Opera – Rise Like a Phoenix (Austria 2014)
Dream Girls – Making Your Mind Up (UK 1982)
Mamma Mia! – Undo (Sweden 2014)
Aladdin – Drama Queen (Denmark 2007)
The acts were judged by three guest celebrity judges – comedian Tom Allen; actor John Partridge; and choreographer (including at Eurovision) Arlene Philips. But of course, Eurovision is now an audience participation event and we were also able to have our say via SMS voting, each vote adding an extra £3 for the charity – well worth supporting your favourite acts.
All of the acts were highly entertaining. Particular highlights for me were Dreamgirls’ Making Your Mind Up, which began as a relatively straight homage to Bucks Fizz before deviating into a high-energy Motown interpretation. Similarly 42nd Street began as a homage to Lulu before bursting into a samba-style, rainbow coloured presentation, culminating in – hang on a minute! Is that actually Lulu? It is! What a coup! I can’t remember when she would have last performed her own song on stage, even if she does just join in for a last minute appearance. And performing last the cast of Aladdin raised temperatures with dancers scantily-clad in bondage-inspired costumes. All this from the most family-friendly of all the shows as well! My interest was piqued (and one of my votes firmly decided).
As the judges deliberated we were treated to some extra performances. I’d spotted this year’s UK entrant SuRie in the audience on my way back from the bar so suspected she’d make a guest appearance. Hot off the plane from Madrid she once again didn’t disappoint. Next up was last year’s UK entrant Lucie Jones, who, reading her audience perfectly, performed the big gay hands in the air poppers o’clock remix of Never Give Up On You, urging us all to rise and dance with her. From our box, and with my terror of heights, this was a tentative but joyful boogie for me as I tried to bust a move without toppling over the balcony.
As the casts were introduced we were told that Phantom of the Opera has taken part in every West End Eurovision since it started but never won. Tonight was the night they broke their duck, gaining maximum points from the judges, audience and most of their fellow casts. Graham Norton and SuRie were on hand to present the trophy.
The winning performance was the best of the night for me too. It made great use of Conchita-style beards, on a cast of characters from other West End shows, including Elphaba from Wicked, and the women from Mamma Mia. As more characters turned to face the audience their beards became increasing dense, through Jesus to Professor Dumbledore to Cousin It from the Addams’ Family. It was such a clever effect.
It was great to see this big-hearted show back, and wonderful entertainment as I get ready to jet off to Lisbon this Friday. Catch it next year if you can, or visit the MAD Trust’s website to show them a little bit of support with their fundraising.