"Re-Take That - Take That Tribute Show"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

I've never been one for tribute bands as most of the time they don't look like the people they are supposed to look like and most don't sound like the bands/singers they are supposed to sound like. There are exceptions like The Fab 4 and Justine Riddoch, who is an amazing Tina Turner tribute; and now I can add to that short list Re-Take That.

I was asked along to the show by a friend, and didn't expect too much, but this tribute band are as close to the real thing as you are going to get.

The stage show is a big affair, the light show is incredibly good; it's like being inside a big arena show. The sound is probably one of the best sound designs for a band that I've heard for a live band at the Theatre Royal.

And then, after an introductory projection design screen show, on came "Gary Barlow", closely followed by "Marc Owen" and "Howard Donald" - I was quite pleased when they introduced themselves as I wasn't quite sure which other members they were supposed to be. Strange enough though, after a while the resemblances did become quite clear, visually.

"Gary Barlow" (Will Jennison) had the accent and sounded just like the real Gary Barlow, which worked really well in the section that just had "Gary" at the piano performing the solo hits like "Forever Love".

I was really surprised that "Mark Owen" (Zen Blythe) also sounded exactly like the actual Mark Owen, especially when singing "Shine" and "Babe".

"Howard Donald" (Peter Waite), who we don't really hear featured on many of Take That hits, but we did get to hear yet another very strong vocal on the closing number "Never Forget".

"Robbie Williams", who also looks just like Robbie looks today, had all of the Robbie trademark moves and characteristics on stage. The second act was opened by a selection of Robbie's biggest hits, which of course included "Let Me Entertain You", "Rock DJ", "Candy", "The Life I Love" and of course "Angels".

After this mini-Robbie concert, he joined the remaining three Take Thatters to take us back in time for some early hits like "It Only Takes A Minute", "Pray", "Relight My Fire" among the classics.

The choreography was also there, and that is another thing about this show that this quartet needs credit for. I have been a fan of Take That since their first album, "take That And Party", which I bought on the day of its' release, and bought it on picture disc, as well as standard black vinyl back in 1992. The choreography was very tight for the band back then, and Re-Take That adhered to that tight choreography; in fact Will is probably a better dancer in these routines than Gary was back then. I also liked the fact that "Gary" acknowledged his dancing ability by asking for some Deep Heat!

This is a show that is full of hits - no fillers - great dance routines, replica costumes, excellent vocals, wonderful scenic projections, an amazingly good light show, and a fantastic backing band. Re Take That may just have changed my mind about tribute bands, but that is because of the love and attention to detail that these four frontmen have invested in this show.

If you get the chance to see this show, Take That opportunity, because it's as close to the real thing as you're going to get.