Review: Broadway in the Bar, Arta, Glasgow

Broadway in the Bar has firmly positioned itself as one of Glasgow's unique entertainment shows. Sure there are a lot of shows produced in a similar vein, but none executed as well as this. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of BITB, you take a first class cast filled with local talent, add a mix of show tunes and throw in a glass of fizz for good measure.

The cast is ever-changing which keeps things fresh and Sunday's cast did not disappoint. Alison Cleland would be just as entertaining stepping onto a comedy stage as she is when singing. Her off-the-cuff banter between songs created a relaxed and informal atmosphere for the night. Joanne McGuinness and Edward Reid added to the humorous element with their song choices while still delivering strong vocal performances. Recent musical theatre graduate Jennifer Neil shared with the audience that this was her first professional job, and judging  by her impressive performance, it certainly won't be her last.

The songs ranged from well known show tunes such as 'As Long As He Needs Me' from Oliver and Wicked's 'The Wizard and I', ending with some anthemic power ballads which are guaranteed to have the crowd up on their feet (or in some cases their chair!).

The show is not tied to one venue and for Sunday's performance we had the beautiful backdrop of Arta in Glasgow's Merchant City. Whilst aesthetically pleasing, Arta comes with some structural pillars that can cause some viewing issues but if you arrive early enough this shouldn't pose a problem.

For more information on this show check out Inside Out Productions' Facebook page here.