Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK. This time around we are talking about Country Roads, which played at the Darlington Hippodrome on the 18th! Settle in, slap on your favourite country tune and tap those feet! The review is about to begin.
Disclaimer: we were gifted a pair of tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show.
Country Roads, presented by Entertainers, is a tribute to country music and the genres icons. From Johnny Cash to Dolly Parton, Country Roads shines a spotlight on the biggest names and biggest tunes.
Country music has strong roots in storytelling, so pair that with the banter and charisma of the cast, and you have a brilliant night of performance! The cast give their all to the music, the characters and to their audience. The audience were clapping, tapping feet and even dancing the night away! Entertainers do a great job with the material and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
The cast in this show provide interesting insights into the world of country music, including the history of songs, facts about musicians and so much more. They are also all amazing with their crowd work, making the audience feel comfortable in minutes!
It is important to note that the performers aren’t all note for note impersonators, but their unique sound brings something new to the numbers that is really enjoyable. My favourite was the singer playing Dolly Parton, followed closely by Kenny Rogers. The pair sang really well together too, and had some great banter! A stand out number was Islands In The Stream, which had the audience singing along from the moment it started to the moment it finished.
A huge shout out to the band who do an amazing job at setting the pace and performing all our favourite Country tunes with military precision. The band sound amazing and really do deserve the standing ovation they received at the Hippodrome!
Visually, the show keeps things simple but effective. Lighting supports the performance without overshadowing it giving the audience something to watch without being too much. The costumes worked for each character and each costume change brought something different, again, without overpowering what really mattered which is the music.
It’s clear this show was built with care and a passion for the genre and for music in general. Whether you’re a lifelong country fan or simply someone who’s sung along to Jolene at the pub on a Friday night, there’s something at Country Roads for you. The crowd were clapping along within minutes, and by the finale, many were up on their feet and dancing in the aisle, a testament to the show’s power to bring people together through song.
Country Roads doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it takes the very strong foundation that is Country music and takes the audience on a two hour whistle stop tour! If you are a fan of Country music, I really think Country Roads is a great night out! I had a blast, thank you to the Entertainers for sending me!
Accesibility
The show features a mix of lighting effects, including flashing lights and lights that shine into the audience. The show wasn’t particularly loud, but sat at a comfortable level. There were no other special effects (pyros, smoking, confetti etc).
Value For Money
Tickets average around £30 and I think this is a very fair price for the show. There are a number of very talented vocalists, musicians and behind the scenes crew that make this show run. The show is slick and there are no clunky moments. The banter is amazing, the songs are performed very well and the visuals added that cherry on top. You can absolutely see where your money goes.
Have Your Say
Have you seen Country Roads? Let me know in the comments and let’s get a discussion going.
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