Invasion Festival: Soul Traders

In this era of the Andrew Lloyd Webber, reality-talent-show contaminated, pop musical, the good old days of dazzling tap-dance routines, catchy melodies and simple love plots seem all but a distant memory. Until Terry Moss’s Soul Traders that is. With a combination of 1960s flare and old age razzmatazz, this uplifting show creates musical magic.

The plot, which is haphazard to say the least, is the weakest element of the show. Most of the action takes place in and around a market stall in the swinging sixties. This is a camped-up Eastenders without the drugs and sex scandals. Major Jane Baxter heads a Salvation Army branch that is fast deteriorating through lack of funding – probably because she spends most of her time singing. After some discussion about a possible money-making scheme involving “legless ironing boards,” a brief lesson on the issue of interracial marriage, and a misunderstanding involving a prostitute, everyone finally ends up happily coupled up, singing their praises to Jesus in the manner of a gospel church choir. Are you with me so far?

With some excellent choreography from Andrew Wright, and a strong four-person band to support them, the cast of thirteen take on the numerous routines with energetic precision. A particular highlight is 'Herbert the Turbot', a comical number which showcases one of Wright’s most imaginative sequences.

If you can excuse the rather chaotic plot, the two-dimensional characters and the odd duff note, then you will certainly be enchanted by this quaint musical outing.