All Shook Up: A Night of Fun

Audiences at pre-Christmas shows at the Abbey Theatre know what to expect - lots of catchy songs and dances, loosely connected to an American storyline and performed by a talented young cast who give their all.

With 26 Elvis Presley songs a very talented cast and more story than most, with all the twists and turns of a Shakespearean comedy, All Shook Uphas ll the potential to be the show audiences look for at this time of the year.  The sets were particularly good, with clever changes using sliding screens.

The story is set circa 1960 in a small town in middle America where the mayor tries to inflict a strong moral code that is shattered when a motorcycle-riding roustabout "with a song in his soul and an eye for the ladies" rolls into town.

AJ is every inch the pelvis-rolling King himself as he gives the Elvis songs plenty of style.

The female lead is Edan Hunt who plays a believable young woman mechanic who yearns to leave town.  She has a strong voice and plenty of stage character to carry her role.

Dennis, the town nerd, is in love with Natalie, who falls in love with Chad, who only has eyes for Miss Sandra, the librarian, etc. etc.

To confuse matters, Natalie disguises herself as Ed, andher father only has eyes for Miss Sandra and cannot see his future with his old friend Sylvia, the cafe owner.

Liam Taylor makes a wonderful future dentist and he has a pleasant voice.  He contrasts well with Edan Hunt's beautiful tomboy and with Lorna Beauchamp, whose role changes from starchy to raunchy.

Kudos must go to all the secondary role leads, particularly Bradford Meurk and Carrie 
Green whose duet It's Now or Never got huge applause from the first night audience.

It's not often a part has been written for Bruce Sinclir, complete with beard, but as Natalie's widowed father, he is in his element.  Partnered with Erica Ward as Sylvia, the lonely cafe owner, who has a great voice, they make a great combination.

Much of the dialogue is cheesy, the story predictable and 26 songs is probably too many.  A 30 minute interval felt unnecessary with another 55 minutes of the show to come, but it was an entertaining night out.