Marvelous Motown

Image from  the Motown: The Musical website

Our taste in music is very broad, and it certainly includes some of the oldies-but-goodies from the Motown era. We missed "Motown: The Musical" when the touring company came to Seattle a few years ago, but we made up for it by seeing it in London at the winter half-price ticket sale. As you can imagine, the theater was rockin'!

Before we took our seats, I went to the ladies room and was greeted by a sign on the back of the door. In the dim light, my phone didn't take a very good picture, but this is what the sign said:

Attention all budding Dianas & Smokeys!

We know you can sing, but please refrain

from doing so until directed by the cast or on

your way home!

Oh and we would like to point out, it's Dancing

in the Streets not in your seats!

Please do not be offended if we ask you to moderate your 'enthusiasm'.

Just before the performance started, two ladies entered laughing with drinks in hand. (Kevin later dubbed them "the Absolutely Fabulous team," after the comedic duo of Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley (a.k.a. Edina and Patsy). He didn't mean it unkindly, but there was a certain resemblance in behavior, especially for the older of the two, who, like Patsy wore a lot of makeup, long false eyelashes, and an animal print scarf. 

"You have an accent!," the younger one exclaimed. "Where are you from?" With that opening, we chatted briefly, before the lights went down.

Apparently, "Patsy" had not read the sign in the ladies room, because as soon as the first number began, she started singing along, although--and I will give her credit--not too loudly. Unfortunately, she did not have a tuneful voice, because, I swear, she knew the lyrics to every single song, which she proceeded to demonstrate. One time, the singers onstage stopped, and her little voice rang out over the balcony.

At first, I was a little annoyed. But the acoustics were good, and the professionals were loud enough that I could hear them clearly above the unpaid accompaniment, and I actually began to enjoy Patsy reliving her youth.

By the final number, Patsy got up and was practically dancing in her seat. How could I blame her? I wanted to sing too. I refrained--but like everyone else in the theater--I was swaying from side to side and tap-tap-tapping my toes.