The Show
The Back To The Eighties Show was a jukebox-style musical co-written by myself and performer Rob Bishop.
The concept behind the show was to craft a one-of-a-kind experience showcasing some of the most prominent and beloved songs from the vibrant era of the 1980s. With a mix of audience participation and cleverly sprinkled 80’s references and trivia, the show captivated audiences and garnered praise as it travelled across the UK.
Reflecting on the production, I take immense pride in the culmination of hard work and dedication that brought this show to life.
For those who didn't have the opportunity to witness it in person, here are some further insights into its allure.
Steven Greenwood & Rob Bishop Live on Stage
Written, Directed and Produced by Steven Greenwood & Rob Bishop
Artwork Visual Design & Web design By Steven Greenwood
Bookings by Rob Bishop
Front of house - Amanda Jackson & Simon Hewson
Stage Manager - Hannah Wright
THE CAST
Benny King / Steven Greenwood
Melody Maker / Sara Larder
Kimberley Houston / Ellie Butler
Jessie DeLorean / Rob Bishop
Steven Greenwood
Steven is well known nationally due to his performances throughout the UK since 1996. Starting as a DJ and MC, Steven worked his way up to become the entertainment manager of one of Lincolnshire’s largest holiday resorts. He often appears as a principal cast member for Class Act Productions UK and has regularly taken starring roles in productions by the Louth Playgoers Society and Blaze Youth Music Theatre. His vocal range has been dropping jaws for over a decade, with a unique voice capable of reaching the highs of the Bee Gees, the gravelly lows of Elvis, and everything in between.
Steven Greenwood as Benny King
Rob Bishop
Rob Bishop has been a performer in the pub/club circuit for the past 11 years. Having established himself as a popular solo act, he has become a fixture in many fantastic venues in Lincolnshire and beyond. He has performed in many musicals, plays and other productions over the years including Class Act Productions UK, Louth Playgoers, Silhouettes Musical Society and Blaze Youth Music Theatre. In April 2019, Rob became a valued member of Let's Hang On, the UK’s No.1 Frankie Valli Tribute Show, playing the part of Bob Gaudio in their UK theatre tour.
Sara Larder
Sara studied drama at college and was an active member of the Caxton Players theatre group in her youth. From her mid-teens, music has been a big part of her life, having sung original material in several bands over that time. She has performed at several prominent national and international festivals, including Glastonbury. Her enthusiasm for her music is infectious, and she delights audiences with her versatile, energetic and soulful vocals. She has recently returned to her passion for recording original vocals, working with several prominent House DJs.
Ellie Butler
Ellie is a versatile vocalist currently performing her solo show at venues across Lincolnshire. She is also known for her work in the popular soul band Soul Magic 5, performing at holiday parks up and down the country. Over the last 15 years, Ellie has been an active vocalist in numerous bands such as ‘The What’, ‘The Limit’ & ‘The Big Betty Band’, performing locally and beyond. She has appeared in many sold-out musical shows including ‘Rock the West End’ at the Academy Theatre, Barnsley and ‘One Night Only’. She was crowned champion of ‘The Voice of Lincs’ in 2014.
A Review by Shaun Lowden
What a great show! That pretty much sums up a superb evening of entertainment at the Parkway last night. Having said that I cannot really leave it there as I feel the need, the need for a review and to provide some insight in to what you missed if you couldn’t go.
Starting in a fictitious Nightclub, called Electric Dreams, this musical is not only set in the Eighties, it is laden with 80’s references, starting with the name of the nightclub, only 4 characters starred in the show, all born in the USA.
I guess you would have to have lived through or be a die-hard fan of the 80s to know all of them, even then, you will still have to pay attention if you want to pick up every reference made.
Just calling it a musical is also doing this an injustice, it was a musical, a comedy, a story, a nightclub, and a disco, we didn’t just watch it, we were in it. It was a concert with some of the biggest names from the 80’s singing and we paid one ticket price for entry into the 6 events rolled into one.
Jessie D’lorean, (Rob Bishop) the owner of Electric Dreams is in a relationship with his headline act played by Sara Larda but is their love about to be tainted or will they have a little faith? I can only hope they don’t stop believing in each other.
Then there is the working girl, Kimberly Houston, who just happens to have some vocal talent, however, she is feeling down, underappreciated and maybe a little too shy. I don’t want to give too much away but Ellie Butler can certainly belt out a note or two, whilst still managing a respectable job of waxing the nightclubs tables.
The bullied DJ (Benny King, played by Steven Greenwood) provides seamless comic timing and a little magikinisum as well as the hit vinyl classics. Whenever Kimberly is near him, he has that look of love, but has he got all the right moves? Are there happy days to come? Well as most of you will know, when it comes to love, it cannot be hurried, and it can be a battlefield.
So, as you may guess, all 4 actors can sing and believe me, they most certainly can! There is a fair bit of toe-tapping tunes to set one’s footloose to. I can not convey in words just how bloody good they are. Oh, and they can act as well, which is a bonus when ……. erm …….. acting.
They must have felt under pressure to put on a great show, they set their bar high and I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt, they beat it
So………
Will the Cleaner and the Singer be trading places? Or do they just want to have fun?
Does Jessie give love a bad name? Does he feel fine? Is it the end of the world as he knows it?
Is Benny over the hill? Does he want to know what love is? Will one thing lead to another? Will there be a white wedding?
This Musical Stage Presentation is an Excellent Adventure into the Bright Lights of the ’80s
One thing is for sure, I just can’t get enough and when they present this show again, I’ll be back!
