★★★★★
291 words, 2 minutes read time.
Whenever I hear Queen songs on the radio, I often say that I love that band. I call them ‘the second-best band in the world‘. Most people who don’t know me take the bait, ‘Oh. What’s the best band in the world?’ ‘Blondie, of course’, I reply as if it could be anyone else. Naturally, as a huge Blondie fan, I was drawn at once to the Night Owl production of The Blondie Story.
Reine Beau and her backing band give a storming performance of many of Blondie’s best-known songs. They launch the show with a high-octane version of Atomic. The band perform in front of a huge screen. The screen illustrates Reine’s narrative with album covers, old pictures, and video clips of memorable moments in Debbie Harry’s career. I learned some things I didn’t know before. Debbie once worked as a typist for the BBC in their New York office. The song Denis was not original to the band but a cover of a Doors song. Debbie was the first white woman to have a hit rap song, Rapture.
Reine Beau knows how to fire up her audience. We were clapping, foot tapping and singing along with her. Some folks even got up to dance to Sunday Girl and Maria in the space beside the stage. According to Reine, Debbie Harry is the ‘coolest woman ever’. I wouldn’t dare to disagree. With this performance, Reine Beau comes pretty close to the original for a new generation. She brings her own interpretation. If you can’t get to this wonderful rip-roaring showcase of Blondie’s talent, then follow Reine’s advice. Dig out those old Blondie albums. Sing and dance to them at home.
Reviewed by David Kerr
Till August 24th 2024. Tickets here
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