"Motown The Musical"
Nottingham Theatre Royal

This is the West End Musical that is on tour, celebrating the music and the story of the best record label ever, in my humble opinion. I have loved the sound of Motown for as long as I can remember, and the songs are just as relevant and played as often today as they ever were.

Some may say that this is a jukebox musical. I disagree because this is the story of the label and the sound, it's not a story-line with a band's music, or a style of music introduced to enhance a flimsy script - most of the time.

When Berry Gordy wrote this musical, he must have known that he would be taking on the impossible to try and recreate that magical sound from the sixties and seventies.

Gordy must also have known that the legends that this musical celebrates would never be able to have their voices recreated, so for me it's the music and the songs that are celebrated. let's face it, there will never be another voice like Marvin Gaye's or another voice to rival the still incredible Diana Ross.

That said the young actor who portrayed the young Michael Jackson, not only had the moves but did sound very much like the legend of pop.

I was also very impressed with Nathan Lewis who played William "Smokey" Robinson,and really sounded like him as well.

Edward Baruwa (Berry Gordy) was brilliant as the Motown creator and boss, as was Karis Anderson (Diana Ross).Shak Gabbidon-Williams puts in a fine performance as Marvin Gaye.

A massive ensemble play every other part including all of the groups including The Supremes, Temptations, Contours, Mary Wells, Jackson Five, Jackie Wilson, Velvelettes etc etc

The young Berry Gordy, young Michael Jackson and young Stevie Wonder rotate between Joshua Vaughan, Mickell Stewart-Grimes, Yami Edwards and Keiran Edwards.

The set is one of the best I've seen for a musical such as this with the Scenic design being an incredible and informative lesson in history as well as providing every setting from Gordy's office and recording studio to all of the major venues the Motown tours visited, smoothly slipping in and out of place, just like a movie.

An excellent and exciting lighting design by Natasha Katz.

The costumes are wonderfully accurate and bring back many happy memories of seeing these amazing bands on the TV.

The musical starts and ends with the Motown 25th Anniversary Celebrations which was broadcast back in 1983, and for me I remember witnessing the amazing and innovative moonwalk that Michael Jackson performed to "Billie Jean", ironically not a track recorded for Motown.

I said earlier that the magical sound of 1960's/1970's Motown can not be recreated but the Motown Orchestra under the supervision of Ethan Popp, who also did all the wonderful arrangements of the songs provided a driving beat which got everyone's feet tapping and hands clapping

Recreating those instantly recognisable dance routines were choreographers Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams.

If you go along expecting to hear imitations of these Motown legends, you will be disappointed. If you go along expecting a brilliant evening listening to some of the best Motown records ever made and the stories behind them, you will be 100% satisfied.

What was my highlight? That bit that started at 7.30 and ended at 10.00. Come on, let's face it, how, as a Motown fan could I possibly choose one song over another?

Whoever decided to close the show on "Dancing In The Street" and "I Wish" needs a big pat on the back, as a more apt closing would be hard to find. Why? Just listen to the lyrics!

"Motown The Musical" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 4 May.