Twist and Shout. The Embassy Theatre, Skegness. 11 September 2026.

Visitors to Skegness's Embassy Theatre on Friday night, will undoubtedly agree that this show was a wonderful journey down memory lane as it navigates its way through the rock and pop hits of the 1960s. A few brave audience members dressed the part wearing 60s inspired costmes that didn't always look the most comfortable outfits for a warm Friday night at the seaside! People were determined to enjoy their evening and why not?

A good sized audience clapped, cheered and danced their way through around 40 hits of the era that began with the Merseyeat revolution and culminated in the hippy haze of Woodstock and the protest song.

During the first half of the show, we were treated to hits by the Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Manfred Mann, and not neglecting the girls, Cilla Black, Lulu, Sandy Shaw and Petula Clark. The set was simple, a large logo displayed above the drummer as a bass player, a guitarist and a keyboard player successfully reproduced some impressive soundalike arrangements, though lurked somewhat anonymously behind the line of the stage lights, leaving the forestage for the six vocalists - who led the show magnificently.

The show was everything you would expect from a seasoned troupe of professionals, it was slick, polished and moved swiftly from one song to the next, though sometimes perhaps, failing to allow the audience to savour the moment after a song - to a degree that is why I am struggling to remember every song performed. However, the team was adept at running at pace and ensuring almost every genre of the sixties was catered for.

There was minimal banter with the audience, relying instead on audience recognition of the songs being performed. The room was rocking literally and several photos I managed to shoot were spoiled when the fans were rocking so hard that whole row of seats moved and caused my camera to move at just the wrong moment, but that is a very nice problem to have because it means the audience were loving life and loving the show.

There were three male and three female vocalists, but disappoinigly only the girls were intrduced by name as Laura, Claire and Lizzie. If the guys were introduced, I'm afraid I missed that, nor did I manage to find out the names of the musicians or the musical director or choreographer. I would have loved the chance to give them each a shoutout for their workmalike efforts resulting in such a successful show.

The show was extremely well lit and looked terrific as the girls in particular enjoyed multiple, colourful costume changes, though retaining white leather boots with every outfit to aid their quick changes.

The second half leaned heavily into the era of Flower Power with hits such as Mr Tambourine Man, San Francisco, I’m a Believer, California Dreaming. I found the performance of The Seekers' The Carnival is Over rather moving with Laura's vocals easily matching those of Judith Durham. The guys swapped their sharp suits and sparkly jackets of the first half for cheesecloth and more relaxed clothes, with one choosing to go the whole hog and don a long blond wig.

The show predominantly covered bubblegum pop of the 60s and I would have loved to hear a few more hits of the girl groups of Mowtown and Phil Spector but overall, the show was a lot of fun and the audience looked utterly delighted by the team and their efforts. I must say that if you are a fan of the 60s and the show comes near you, do your utmost to grab a ticket and party like its 1969!

Andy Evans 12 September 2026.