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The songs of David Essex old and new are the strength of the new musical All The Fun Of The Fair. Essex plays the role of a travelling fun fair owner Levi Lee, along with his son Jack, played by fresh out of drama school Paul-Ryan Carberry. The pair muddle through the pains of the past and the turmoil of love ahead.

The show is an instant Essex fan’s pleaser, with Essex actually in the show, singing some of his well known classics such as, Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You a Star, Rock On, and A Winter’s Tale. Although getting on in years and his voice not quite like it was, Essex proved himself worthy to be in the show. The audience (many of them fans) clearly enjoyed every moment, including the line where Essex describes what he used to look like, “I used to have long black curly hair.”

It is easy to see how many criticised the show before it even opened and how some may continue to. The show however is engaging and before long you can’t help but get involved in the storyline and feel the pain of the characters in the darker moments of the tale. 

The cast in general are not your average West End bunch, from young to old, fit to fat, there is a good mix. There was not a lot to fault with the cast, with most giving a flawless performance.

The set is impressive, creating various fun fair scenes from merry-go-round horses to dodgems and the impressive last scene of the wall of death motorbikes. The scenes flowed well, although some songs are a little forced to fit.

Musically the show is upbeat and cheery, with each number performed to West End standard but is a complete contrast to the actual storyline which goes from one drama to the next. Bad romances, past traumas, a failing fair and a fatal shooting are all part and parcel of All The Fun Of The Fair.