Motown The Musical - Edinburgh Playhouse

Wow, still on a high after having the privilege of attending Motown The Musical at the Edinburgh Playhouse last night. What a performance! Captivating and entertaining the whole way through. The musical captured the history and drama of the time, in this spectacular performance including hits from the Supremes, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, the Jackson 5, and many more! I enjoyed it so much, I would love to see it again. If you haven't booked yet, here's what you are missing.

Motown The Musical - Edinburgh Playhouse

The hit musical is making its Scottish debut at the Edinburgh Playhouse until December 8th.

With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It Through the Grapevine tells the story behind the classic hits.

Did you know with just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and many more. Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. The Company. ©Tristram Kenton

Cast

The show features a talented and skilled cast including Edward Baruwa in the leading role of ‘Berry Gordy’, Karis Anderson as ‘Diana Ross’, Nathan Lewis as ‘Smokey Robinson’ and Shak Gabbidon-Williams as ‘Marvin Gaye’.

Edward Baruwa’s previous credits include the West End productions of “Motown the Musical” at The Shaftesbury Theatre, “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre, “Five Guys Named Moe” at the Marble Arch Theatre, and the UK Tour of “Sister Act”.

Karis Anderson is best known as being one-third of the pop band ‘Stooshe’ who celebrated a top five single ‘Black Heart’ in 2012 for which they received a nomination for Best British Single at the 2013 Brit Awards.

Nathan Lewis was a finalist on ITV’s The X Factor in 2016 as part of the boyband ‘Five After Midnight’. Nathan makes his stage debut as ‘Smokey Robinson’.

Shak Gabbidon-William’s previous credits include ‘Young Simba’ in “The Lion King” in the West End and most recently starred as ‘Seaweed’ in the UK tour of “Hairspray”.

The ensemble includes Dayo Adeoye, Scott Armstrong, Simeon Beckett, Natalia Brown, Ethan Davis, Andrew Dillon, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Olivia Hibbert, Karis Jack, Michael Jeremiah, Amana Jones, Abz Kareem, Kane Matthews, DeeArna McClean, Matt Mills, Cordell Mosteller, Nicole Nyarambi, Spencer O’Brien, Perry O’Dea, Alex Okoampa, Reece Richards and Emma Robotham-Hunt

Karis Anderson 'Diana Ross' and Edward Baruwa 'Berry Gordy'. ©Tristram Kenton

Story

Berry Gordy is the founder of Motown, the enterprise that nurtured the careers of, amongst others, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles,​ Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Four Tops, ​Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, and more​. Gordy is also a songwriter, producer, director, boxer, innovative entrepreneur, teacher, and visionary. Actively involved in the Civil Rights movement, he also released the recorded speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

His films include Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blues, which received five Academy Award nominations. He has been inducted​ into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received ​a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Pioneer Award, the Grammy Salute To Industry Icon President’s Merit Award and was honored by President Barack Obama with a Salute to Motown evening at the White House. Berry Gordy’s unparalleled contribution to music and popular culture is chronicled in his autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown.

Karis Anderson 'Diana Ross' and The Supremes. ©Tristram Kenton

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT MOTOWN THE MUSICAL ON TOUR

Birmingham Mail – ★★★★★

“The finale had the packed-out audience on its feet, clapping, smiling, and jiving away. The 60s and 70s, what a time to be alive - thank God for Motown, well, thank God for Berry Gordy!”

WhatsOnStage - ★★★★

“a gold disc of a show”

Express and Star

“A compelling, thoughtful, eclectic, and joyous performance that will have you singing the sounds of Motown Records for the rest of the week.”

Reviews Hub

“a dazzling evening of vocal pyrotechnics and nostalgia”

Leave with a buzz in your step, feeling joyful and alive. Highly recommend!

LISTING DETAILS

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

TUE 20 NOVEMBER – SAT 8 DECEMBER 2018

Mon-Sat 7.30 pm | Thurs and Sat Mats 2.30 pm

HOW TO BOOK

Online: atgtickets.com/Edinburgh

Box Office: 0844 871 3014*

*fees apply.

The original Broadway cast recording of Motown the Musical is available via Motown Records, a label of UMG Recordings - www.classicmotown.com