Last Thursday, a group of Urban Synergy Role Models attended the press night for the new west end production ‘Respect La Diva’. Produced and directed by fellow Urban Synergy Role Model, Adrian Grant, the show takes audiences down memory lane by paying tribute to musical divas from the past to present including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, Whitney Houston and Beyonce. From the lights dimmed and the opening bars of a Aretha Franklin classic reverberated throughout the theatre walls, we knew we were in for a musical treat.
The show doesn’t have a storyline per se, it basically charts the history of each featured diva as well as provide clear definitions on what qualities are needed to receive such a distinguished title. There were four very diverse and dynamic lead singers performing the hits in the show including legendary US singer Sheila Ferguson from the Three Degrees, Denise Pearson from Five Star, Zoe Birkett from Pop Idol and Katy Setterfield. Ferguson simply smoulders as she works her way through Tina Turner and Diana Ross numbers. Zoe Birkett has all the hallmarks of a superstar and makes you wonder how she never managed to pip Will Young to the post all those years ago when she first came to our attention on Pop Idol. The young songstress tackles the songs of Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston, matching the world class divas in terms of vocal ability and stage presence. Denise Pearson makes a welcome return to the spotlight, surprising many with her dynamic vocals which peaked with a show-stopping version of Beyonce’s ‘Listen’. Andy Abrahams, the former bin man who found national fame on the X-Factor, is the host of the show, his humour and charisma (spliced with a few songs) providing the perfect conduit between the singers and the audience.
It must be said, half of the Urban Synergy group could be seen rocking, swaying, singing and clapping throughout the show. This definitely wasn’t a night for inhibitions, each song tapping into a memory of a very receptive audience. If I was to point out one flaw, I’d say that the order of the show is a bit patchy. A far more coherent way of presenting would probably be a chronological order, but hey, I’m no Andrew Lloyd Webber. But that’s merely a minor blip in what promises to be another hit for Adrian and co. Thanks for the memories.
Keysha Davis
Urban Synergy Mentor