Sticky Floors and Palm Trees, the most recent show at The New Theatre Royal by the incredible company Downtown Pompey, is unlike any show I have experienced before.
The moment you enter the theatre you are greeted by a lovely member of the company who will then walk you round to the immersive set. Unlike other shows I have attended at the theatre this show was based in a studio around the back of the theatre. When walking into the studio the scene is immediately set by the bright pink lights, a fun entry sticker and a special guest appearance in a dressing room.
The vibrant set of Portsmouth’s finest nightclub Joanna’s and immersive performers welcome you into the set while you take your seat adding excitement for what is to come during the show. As the show begins you feel immediately taken back to clubbing in the 80s, even as someone that did not have the experience, I still felt an essence of nostalgia.
The show portrays the varying stories of 4 different characters (archetypes) in the first half of the show. These stories are told by the people that experienced them first hand through an audio playing which makes the show feel extremely personal. The stories are told beautifully through a mixture of audio and dancing, including a range of the biggest 80s hits.
As the show goes on, we learn more about the experiences of the individuals showing both the good and the bad of clubbing in the 80s. The performers are always interacting with the audience members and constantly make an effort to personally take them through the nostalgic experience before eventually having the sad ending of Joanna’s burning down.
The second act is a large change up from the first. The first act tells stories, whereas the second act consists of more audience participation. Still portraying through the audios of people’s memories, each person was asked to define what Joanna looks like to them leading to an audience vote to find the winner of the best dressed Joanna. Make sure to get yourself involved in the audience vote to crown your favourite the winner!
If you’re a fan of dancing this show is definitely one for you as there is a chance for the audience to get up on stage to end the performance having a dance with the cast.
I would highly recommend this show to any 80s club goer to reminisce the nights they spent on the Joanna’s dance floor. The memories of the individuals played were told incredibly well with a personal touch for anyone sat watching in the audience. An extremely creative show that can be enjoyed by all!
Sticky Floors and Palm Trees, the most recent show at The New Theatre Royal by the incredible company Downtown Pompey, is unlike any show I have experienced before.
The moment you enter the theatre you are greeted by a lovely member of the company who will then walk you round to the immersive set. Unlike other shows I have attended at the theatre this show was based in a studio around the back of the theatre. When walking into the studio the scene is immediately set by the bright pink lights, a fun entry sticker and a special guest appearance in a dressing room.
The vibrant set of Portsmouth’s finest nightclub Joanna’s and immersive performers welcome you into the set while you take your seat adding excitement for what is to come during the show. As the show begins you feel immediately taken back to clubbing in the 80s, even as someone that did not have the experience, I still felt an essence of nostalgia.
The show portrays the varying stories of 4 different characters (archetypes) in the first half of the show. These stories are told by the people that experienced them first hand through an audio playing which makes the show feel extremely personal. The stories are told beautifully through a mixture of audio and dancing, including a range of the biggest 80s hits.
As the show goes on, we learn more about the experiences of the individuals showing both the good and the bad of clubbing in the 80s. The performers are always interacting with the audience members and constantly make an effort to personally take them through the nostalgic experience before eventually having the sad ending of Joanna’s burning down.
The second act is a large change up from the first. The first act tells stories, whereas the second act consists of more audience participation. Still portraying through the audios of people’s memories, each person was asked to define what Joanna looks like to them leading to an audience vote to find the winner of the best dressed Joanna. Make sure to get yourself involved in the audience vote to crown your favourite the winner!
If you’re a fan of dancing this show is definitely one for you as there is a chance for the audience to get up on stage to end the performance having a dance with the cast.
I would highly recommend this show to any 80s club goer to reminisce the nights they spent on the Joanna’s dance floor. The memories of the individuals played were told incredibly well with a personal touch for anyone sat watching in the audience. An extremely creative show that can be enjoyed by all!