A Tribute To The Carpenters At Grove Theatre Dunstable Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Amanda Dando
A Tribute to The Carpenters arrived at the Grove Theatre Dunstable Thursday 11th January 2024. Considering it’s January, the longest month of the year, and the very cold wet and windy weather, lots of fans attended tonight to see this tribute act. The Grove Theatre in Dunstable has ample parking surrounding the Theatre, and a bar that sells snacks and drinks.
The Grove is well suited to a night of music, it’s not too big and not too small, some seating rows appear wider than others, so allow for some stand up dancing should you want to join in. There is nothing quite like live music, nothing beats it in my opinion, and you won’t regret buying tickets to see this particular tribute act. The band on stage, were all very good, from the drummer, the pianist, the guitarist to the wind section, they were all very very good. The piano in particular I enjoyed, not least from his facial expressions, he really was absorbed by the music.
The British Carpenters features Sally Creedon as Karen Carpenter. She most definitely has the sound down to a tee, and brings the music of the Carpenters to life. She gives informative information between songs on who wrote the song, where it charted or if it was a cover. This show is an all new production, so if you have seen them before, you will be in for a treat.
I grew up listening to these songs and although not quite the same thing as the original Carpenters, it’s a great tribute to them. You find yourself immersed in the feel of the music from that era. Although there we a few songs that were unfamiliar to me, all your favourites are there.
Top of the World would be my favourite and Sally nailed it. Sally is also the regular Jazz singer at the Ivy Club in London, it is very easy to see why. Looking around at the audience whilst the show was on you could see most people toe tapping and singing along with the songs. It is amazing that these tribute acts bring to the stage in 2024 the sound and feel of groups from back in the day. They clearly work very hard at delivering a great experience. The information given between songs give someone like myself an insight into the what went on at the time of the original release. It certainly was a golden age, likely not to be repeated, if your old school like me.
I love seeing acts like this, not least because in reminds me of being a child listening to my mum and dad and their friends enjoying themselves and dancing the night away. Whether you like a particular genre or not, it is worth taking a chance and experiencing a night of live music, in my experience you will rarely be disappointed. It’s a relatively inexpensive night out in terms of money, but will enrich you beyond what money can buy, you will leave with tunes in you head, a spring in your step and a small that lasts a week. A Tribute to the Carpenters is touring the UK in 2024.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15 plus £1.75 transaction fee.
For more information on tour dates or to book tickets visit www.thebritishcarpenters.com
Grove Theatre, Dunstable: Grove Theatre | Dunstable | Bedfordshire