With the fascination for musicals based loosely on the songs of particular artists and groups the latest of these is ‘All the Fun of the Fair’ based on the music of David Essex. Unlike most of the others this show could be part of David’s real life story.

Set in and around Levi’s Fun Fair in 1978, which coincidentally was possibly the height of Essex’s pop stardom, also when travelling carnivals played David’s singles on many of their attractions.

We meet three families all suffering from either separation, divorce or death. Levi (David Essex) and his son Jack (Paul-Ryan Carberry) face the difficulties between father and son after the death of their wife and mother. Running the fair Jack attempts to bring Levi up to date and attract more punters.

Rosa (Louise English) is the fair’s fortune-teller but does she know more than she is letting on. Her daughter Mary (Emma Thornett) is in a relationship with Jack but can never quite capture his soul. Since the desertion of her violent husband, Rosa has her eyes and heart set on Levi.

Finally the Gadjo or non-gypsy family Harvey (David Burrows) and his teenage daughter Alice (on this occasion Lara Denning) who are the third point of this tragic romantic triangle.

This spectacular musical takes the audience on a roller-coaster ride of emotions with heady highs and devastating lows. The set in itself varies from the tacky sideshows to the popular rides including a carousel and amazingly the dodgems, working dodgems, live on stage! The other scenes which stood out for me were ‘Silver Dream Machine’ but probably even more than that Levi, Harvey, Rosa and Druid pondering over the past and what it was like to them to be teenagers using the superb song ‘Rock On’.  

Starting and finishing with ‘A Winters Tale’ sung by Rosa, there are 22 songs some like ‘Me and My Girl [Night-Clubbing]’, ‘Gonna Make You A Star’ and ‘Lamplight’ all well known. Others like ‘He Noticed Me’, ‘Pretty Thing’, ‘If I Could’ and ‘Dangerous’ album tracks.

Jon Conway, responsible for many pantomimes and other successful musicals, wrote the book. Music and lyrics by David Essex, who collaborated with his musical associate Ian Wherry to adapt certain numbers especially for the show.

I absolutely adored the musical despite the tears and sobbing it caused in one scene but am saddened that Glasgow is the only Scottish date on the tour. For further information and a full cast list see www.allthefunofthefairmusical.com.