Reviewer's rating: 4/5 Ten years have passed since the first show and Roddy O'Neill (played by Mark Jones), the lad whose story both shows focus upon, is a little bit older, although not much wiser by the looks of things.
 | | David Essex is a veteran of musicals |
Now part owner of the 'Boogie Nights' club, Roddy seems to have it all, money, fast cars and women lining up to get near him. Except one: his childhood sweetheart Debs (Sophie Lawrence of former EastEnders fame) who is now married. Caught up in the freedom of his newfound wealth, Roddy begins to go off the rails. With his club becoming the cover up for drug dealing and an ego the size of an '80s jacket’s shoulder pads, he finds himself with few friends or family to turn to and no closer to being with the love of his life, Debs. When things really get out of hand at the club Roddy tries to rectify the situation, only to wind up in a coma. With his life hanging by a thread he meets his guardian angel, Saint Peter (played with a true star turn by David Essex) who takes Roddy on a guided tour of his life and offers him a choice. Give up the fight and leave the mess of his life behind or continue fighting and have another shot at life to put things right and maybe, just maybe, spend the rest of his days with Debs… Thus is the plot of Boogie Nights 2, which really you can take or leave as the story is really a vehicle to take the audience on whirlwind tour through the '80s and some of its most memorable hits. Dream come true | "It’s a great trip down memory lane to a time when mobile phones weren’t so mobile and leggings and shell suits were fashionable." | | Matt Simper |
All the usual suspects are present. Songs from the likes of Culture Club, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the Eurythmics are all given the Boogie Nights treatment. It’s a dream come true and a feast for the ears for anyone who grew up during that era. You really do forget just how many classic songs the '80s produced! The cast, including Scott Robinson, formerly of boy band 5ive, deliver all the numbers with great enthusiasm and you can tell that they’re having a blast whilst doing so. All of the songs are instantly recognisable and had the audience clapping along all night long (it certainly felt that way at least!). Even the hardest of souls will be won over by the energy and sheer over the top nature of the show. Mark Jones is highly likeable as the '80s answer to the prodigal son, and David Essex’s experience onstage shines through with an accomplished performance in both singing and acting departments. The cheer that greeted his entrance and his ability to hold an audience shows that he’s still as popular as ever. There are some fantastic comedy moments along the way too, mainly involving Roddy’s dad, Eamon, played by a hysterically funny Don Crann. Fans of '80s music will absolutely adore Boogie Nights 2, it’s a great trip down memory lane to a time when mobile phones weren't so mobile and leggings and shell suits were fashionable. A word of warning though, the costumes may well bring back memories of fashion crimes you'd rather forget. Send your own review using the form below
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