Fringe Review: Eurobeat - Amost Eurovision

Eurobeat - Almost Good.

Eurovision is certainly an institution to the Europeans, but to a downunder Aussie like me, it's a mystery. I never "got it". I'd see the English go nuts every year, I'd hear Brits talk about it incessantly, about who they'd chosen to represent them, but I could never understand what all the hype was about.

Apparently Eurovision is already a parody of talent. Eurobeat then is a parody of a parody, and to someone uninterested in the original franchise, this show doesn't rise above the fact that it's just tacky. I can understand why the performers in Eurobeat were performing badly, but without that love of Eurovision, this is just a collection of bad songs.

Yes - the performers did well, the dancing is energetic (if a stereotype of already bad dancing), and their voices, yes, are very good. The production values are high - it's a good set, and the pre-show entertainment certainly turn the whole event into a spectacle.

Glynn Nicholas plays one of the Eurovision hosts, seemingly doing the only character I've ever seen him do. Not very inspiring, and cynically I would say he fits into the category of those who have to produce shows to cast themselves in as they're not talented (or versatile) enough to other people to want to cast them. I knew he was involved in the show, but was honestly disappointed to see him on stage. I was unaware of the fame of the other co-host, so the pair were remarkably unfunny to me.

I won't say that this is a terrible show - I'd say it's probably an excellent show for those people who love Eurovision. I'm just not one of those people.

Eurobeat - Almost Eurovision plays at the Pleasance Courtyard (around the side) until August 27.