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The cast singing

Celebrating 50 years of number one hits – it’s the magic of Motown

4th July 2012

The cast singing

Ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low, ain’t no river wide enough – to keep The Magic of Motown concert show from getting to UK music lovers in 2012. . .

Officially the UK busiest touring production featuring the music of Motown Records, there are already 49 dates announced for its 2012 tour and more are being added daily.

“There’s no need to worry, it’ll be there in a hurry,” says show producer Michael Taylor, paraphrasing unashamedly from the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell hit Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

“In 2012, once again our hit show from the States The Magic of Motown will be appearing at prestigious venues across the country,” says show producer Michael Taylor. “From Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight, it’ll ‘be there on the double’ at a venue near you.”

The non-stop spectacular features 36 massive chart-toppers from The Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, Lionel Richie and more. An all-star cast, a talented live band that faithfully reproduces Motown’s original Detroit sound, 16 sparkling costume changes and tightly choreographed dance routines saw the show attract glowing reviews in 2011:

• “. . . an incredible cast, dazzling costumes and classic tracks. . . this is a must-see show for all Motown fans”

• “From an era of style and sequins, the show was slick, stylish, smooth and infinitely sexy”

• “. . . spellbinding all the way through”

“This year is a very special one as far as Motown is concerned,” says Michael. “It marks 50 years of number one hits from the world’s favourite record label.”

To mark the occasion, The Magic of Motown is preparing to sign, seal and deliver (with a nod to Stevie Wonder) its biggest production ever in its nine-year history.

Male lead Andre Lejaune says that the cast has spent the end of 2011 rehearsing an all-new arena show for 2012 to celebrate this golden anniversary.

“With many new numbers added to our already hit-packed show we needed to ensure the choreography was right on point,” says the talented Floridian singer.

“The show is called The Magic of Motown for a reason, it’s our job to ensure theatregoers have a truly magical night to remember.”

About The Magic of Motown

The Magic of Motown revives all-time favourites like: Stop in the Name of Love; Signed, Sealed, Delivered; My Guy; What Becomes of the Broken Hearted; I Heard it Through the Grapevine; Endless Love; All Night Long; Heatwave; I’m Coming Out; Why Do Fools Fall in Love; Get Ready; Ain’t Too Proud to Beg; My Girl; I Want You Back; I’ll Be There; Blame it on the Boogie and Dancing in the Street.

“Sixties classics give way to present-day masterpieces from Lionel Richie and Diana Ross,” says Michael.

“Sadly, many of the original Motown legends are either no longer with us or longer touring. The Magic of Motown is the nearest you’ll get to authentically capturing their incredible musical legacy in a live show.

“Our young cast is able to reflect the exuberance and excitement of these songs as they were originally performed.”

Equal care is taken to reproduce the original look of the Motown stars on stage. It was not just the music that set Berry’s signings apart from all other hit singers of the time. For mass market appeal, artistes’ images were carefully controlled from dress and choreography, right down to their manners.

Michael says: “Thus we’ve employed the services of top costume designer Claire Davis to create a fabulous selection of colourful costumes for the cast while leading man Andre Lejaune is responsible for choreographing the cast to perform the intricate dance moves for which Motown stars were famous.”

With the production presenting so many shows this coming year, Michael says there will be “nowhere to run, nowhere to hide” to keep you away from the Magic of Motown in 2011.

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