Be Bop a Lula at the Ambassadors

In a special tribute to rock’n’roll, Be Bop a Lula is the one West End performance to rock the theatre’s seats with beloved music from the 50s and 60s.

Firstly, the show is a small-scale rock concert rather than a traditional play. That is, there is a band present on stage at all times (The Wild Caps), backing up four legendary rock’n’rollers, resulting in a production that easily gets its whole audience singing and dancing along.

As for the performers, the show pays tribute to four beloved stars: Americans Roy Orbison, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent, and Liverpool’s own Billy Fury. All of them are recreated on stage by Gavin Stanley and Lars Young. So, while Stanley gets under the skin of Eddie Cochran and Billy Fury, Lars Young plays Roy Orbison and Gene Vincent. Both of them do such a fine job in their effortless impersonations that they make the whole act entirely believable. From the costumes to the artists’ mannerisms, everything is polished to the finest detail, recreating the atmosphere of a rock concert from the past. That is, both Gavin Stanley and Lars Young know their original material very well, recreating the legendary musicians’ signature looks and moves almost to perfection. The result is a cheerful, bursting-with-energy show that includes popular songs such as Roy Orbison’s In Dreams, Crying, Mean Woman Blues and Billy Fury’s Wondrous Place.

Apart from the great band and the two main artists, there is one more person on stage that gives the performance that special something, making it worthwhile. From the very beginning, the audience is introduced to the live broadcast by Rocking Reverend DJ Spencer, played by Spencer Evoy. Not only is he the host, but he also performs on the saxophone with an enviable energy, quickly turning into a showstopper and into the spectators’ favourite.

Be Bop a Lula offers real rock’n’roll entertainment, paying a lovely tribute to four legendary musicians, while also reviving their music one more time on stage. Although the act is targeted at a more mature audience, compelling them to revisit their own memories of carefree partying in the 60s, it will work a treat for any true rock’n’roll fan.

Lyubomira Kirilova

Be Bop a Lula is on at The Ambassadors Theatre on 6^th May 2015 and 3^rd June 2015, for further information or to book visit here.