REVIEWS:
I never wanted it to end!!
06/11/2009
Erica - Fan - Taunton - November 2009
What a fantastic show ! The cast were all incredibly talented.
Singing was out of this world and the song choice just the best. I never wanted
it to end.
A Brilliant Show
01/03/2009
John Bayley - 3J's Pomotions - Northwich
What a Brilliant show - the feedback has been fantastic
I look forward to seeing you again next year.
Fabulous Show
13/02/2009
Vince Hope - Manager - Alnwick
Route 66 was a fabulous show. Thank you very much indeed for making
that happen for us here. Such energy and professionalism, and once again a
fantastic cast and crew to work with!!
Great Show in Derby
09/02/2009
Louise - Assembly Rooms - Derby - Fan
I just wanted to say 'thank you' for putting on a great show
lastnight in Derby! Such a great mix of performers - all extremely talented!
My husband and I did Route 66 for our honeymoon in September last
year so it was great to come along to a show like yours and enjoy some memories
from our time over there!!
Also, it was really nice of you all to do the meet and greet at the
end of the show!! Very much appreciated! Everyone was so polite and lovely.
All the best with the rest of your shows!!!
Kind regards,
Louise
A Really Great Evening
06/02/2009
Annette Clive Bryant - Playhouse - Weston Super-Mare
We attended the Route 66 show at the Playhouse in Weston Super-Mare.
We weren't sure what to expect but had a really great evening.
The cast sang brilliantly and the choreography was superb. The Film footage of
Route 66 projected into screens on stage and pulled the whole thing together and
I loved the Harley Davidson on stage!!
The songs brought back memories of old favouites and we ended up singing along
to the whole show.
The Best show I have seen for a while
05/02/2009
Russ Brewster - CBS Group
Last nights show was simply fantastic. I have to say that it was one
of the best shows we have seen for a while We were only going to stay for the
first half, but as it was that good, we stayed right until the end.
The vocalists were all great..however the blonde girl (singer/dancer)
and one of the lead male singer/dancer was exceptional.
The Show was fantastic
07/07/2008
Bill Macdonald - Bristol - Fan - Evening Post
I thought the show was fantastic,the energy from the cast spread
among the audience.I have been to a number of shows in london,and i can honestly
say this was one of the best put together shows i have seen.The vocal quaility
of the singers kept me clapping and stamping my feet, and would happily watch
and listen to the show again,realy looking forward when the dvd is on sale,i
will be first in the que.Thanks for a lovely night,wish you all the best for The
rest of your tour. Bill
Fantastic Show
11/06/2008
Mike Forest-Walker - Manager - Leatherhead Theatre
Thank you for a fantastic show on Tuesday. The audience obviously
much enjoyed it.
Many Thanks
ROUTE TO SUCCESS!
09/06/2008
JIM KENNEDY - ENCORE MAGAZINE - Ferneham Theatre, Fareham - June 2008.
For those who lack imagination, ROUTE 66 is nothing more than a 2,448
mile strip of concrete that runs from Chicago in the East to Los Angeles in the
West. To those of a more agile mind, however, the very name conjures up magic in
story and song, as the road wends its way through eight American States on its
journey from Coast to Coast.
Such was the essence of this new show - sponsored by Harley-Davidson,
and for those who love the music of the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's, I can promise
an evening of great enjoyment. The songs range from the driving force of heavy
rock to the more gentle tones of John Denver, interspersed with some Elvis, Neil
Diamond, Cher and Tina Turner.
Providing the male vocals are a trio, all with excellent voices,
..The Reverend Dr. Clive Thomas Jackson, lead singer of the hit band 'Doctor and
the Medics', Wayne Denton, a ringer for John Denver, and the special Nathan
James, tall, good looking and a fine dancer - surely a star waiting to be
discovered.
If the male principals take front stage, it is the four attractive
young ladies who are the catalyst in this enjoyable production. All four - Katie
Ashby, Laura Jean Clinton, Anna Ludford and Phoebe Appleby - look shapely and
sing and dance with great style, but it is their polish that lifts their show to
a higher plane. Whether at the front of stage in dance routines, or upstage as
cosmetic background, their hand and leg movements are polished and beautifully
choreographed.
With over 65 songs on offer, backed by an excellent band, it really
is a musical cornucopia driven with great energy and enthusiasm.
Because of their sponsorship the theatre car park was well filled
with Harley-Davidson motorbikes, with their owners occupying a healthy number of
seats on offer - and with 30 Harley Dealerships throughout Great Britain, and
all promising to boost attendances, the show will surely prove successful, not
just because of the bikers, but mainly because this production is rich in talent
and strong in content, with all the well known songs of a special era. A safe
and well tried policy faithfully adopted by The Show Providers on every show
they present.
Trip Down Memory Lane on Route 66
06/06/2008
Heather Annis - Evesham Observer - June 2008.
WHEN the Route 66 tour came to the Evesham Arts Centre,
I could not believe my luck in being invited to attend and write a review of the
evening.
I was so excited as it meant I was going to meet Doctor Clive himself
from The Doctor and the Medics. I remembered him from when I was in my teens
when they got to number one with Spirit In The Sky.
The show was an amazing non-stop of American country rock, pop and
classics of Route 66, with songs from Meatloaf,Cher, Eagles, Elvis and Tina
Turner.
The highlight for me being a collection of hits by Jon Bon Jovi sung by Nathan
James. It was like Jon Bon Jovi himself was on the stage.
The whole cast brought such life and fun to the show with their energetic
dancing and brilliant voices, you just could not help joining in with the
singing.
The audience seemed to be enjoying themselves and we all certainly
made plenty of noise in applauding, singing and dancing.
The show was produced by the Showproviders who are also producing the
critically acclaimed and very successful Irish show titled the Essence of
Ireland, which is touring throughout the UK and Europe this year and next.
If Route 66 is anything to go by, this show will be well worth seeing.
A Fantastic Night Out
04/06/2008
Heather Pickstock - Bristol Evening Post - June 2008
The engines roared, the lights went up and the story of the most
famous highway in the world began.
Complete with Harley Davidson parked on stage, the Somerset Hall in
Portishead became the venue for a musical journey along the 2,448 miles of
America&65533;s famous Route 66.
The show was put on by production company The Show Providers, and the
10-strong cast was headed by the Doctor from Doctor and the Medics &65533;
famed for their number one hit Spirit in the Sky.
The show kicked off with an obvious choice &65533;
Steppenwolf&65533;s Born to be Wild &65533; but it certainly got the audience
rocking.
Although with slightly more wrinkles than in his 80s heyday, The
Doctor &65533; aka Clive Jackson&65533; gave a sterling performance, still
wearing his black spider-like make-up and a selection of colourful, floor-length
overcoats.
He was powerful on stage as country legend Johnny Cash singing tracks
including Walk the Line, but not so good as the king of rock and roll Elvis
&65533; especially with the wild hair and make-up. Vocally, The Doctor was
excellent, but a catsuit and wig &65533; an obvious Elvis look, I know &65533;
may have made him more believable. However, the audience went into a frenzy when
he reverted to his 80s form to belt out Spirit in the Sky. He was fantastic as
Meatloaf, too.
The show was polished and slick, with excellent vocals &65533;
especially from Katie Ashby, the production&65533;s choreographer, and lead
vocalist Wayne Denton. Special mention must go to lead guitarist and musical
director Phil Walker &65533; that man made his guitar sing.
Wayne, who won New Faces in 1987, came on as John Denver, singing You
Fill up My Senses and Country Roads, a nice diversion from the heavier rock
tunes from the first part of the show.
And the show, being run in association with Harley Davidson Europe,
had a secret weapon &65533; in the form of 19-year-old rocker Nathan James who
was equally at home clad in leather as Bon Jovi singing You Give Love a Bad Name
as he was trussed up in a white suit singing Michael Bolton ballads.
If Simon Cowell had been in the audience he would have snapped this
chap up without a thought. It was a first tour for Nathan, but certainly the
start of a very promising career. He had great stage presence, a fantastic voice
and looked great in leather.
Overall, Route 66 was a fantastic night out and a definite date for
the diary.
Fantastic Show
04/06/2008
Josie & Dave Howard - Evesham Arts Centre - Observer Newspaper.
ON MAY 28 at Evesham Arts Centre we watched Route 66 which was a
fantastic show by very professional enthusiastic performers. We would recommend
anyone with a love of American rock and country music to see this show.
Route 66 are to return later in the year and we shall again be there
to join in the fun. We are so lucky in Evesham to have such a super
entertainment facility so let us support it.
Bringing Back the Memories
02/06/2008
Alan Stokes - Harley Great Western Chapter - Bristol.
I attended your show on Sunday 1st June 2008 at the Somerset Hall,
Portishead. I am a member of the Great Western Chapter in Bristol and obviously
ride a Harley. It was for this reason and the connection with Harley Davidson
that I decided to come along and see what it was all about. I must say, I really
did not know what to expect, and I was absolutely astounded by what I saw. The
set, the music and the cast were all superb. I cannot remember when I enjoyed an
evening so much. The songs brought back many pleasant memories, and both my wife
and I found ourselves singing along to the whole show. The screen shots were a
masterpiece and I thought pulled the whole show into context. It certainly made
me feel like jumping on the bike and heading off into the sunset. It was
absolutely brilliant and I found the interaction with the audience really
pleasing.
Having spoken to many of my fellow chapter members, I know they feel
the same way. On behalf of the Great Western Chapter, may I once again thank you
all for a tremendously entertaining night. Best wishes for the future and I will
be looking out for future productions.
Great Show
30/05/2008
Jill Gilbert - Fan - Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
Just to let you know how much I enjoyed your 'Route 66' show at the
Ludlow Assembly Rooms last night - I drove Route 66 last year, using as much of
the old road as possible, so watching your show allowed me to re-live it!
Great show, excellent cast! - thanks!
The music was excellent.
Clive Greeney - Theatre Manager - Lowther Pavilion - April 2008
27/05/2008
The Show providers certainly provided their Lytham St Annes audience
a lively trip along Route 66. The journey from Chicago to Los Angeles raced
along as song after song was belted out. The gleaming Harley Davidson on stage
and the projected scenes of Route 66 and Americana all added to the excitement.
Wayne Denton, Nathan James and The Doctor sang in the style of such greats as
Meatloaf, Bon Jovi and Johnny Cash to name a few. With classic songs like Born
to be Wild, Drove All Night, Bat Out of Hell and Holding Out For a Hero it would
be hard to go wrong.
The girls gave tribute to Tina Turner and Cher amongst others. I
liked the way each song led smoothly to the next and the artists supported each
other by providing backing vocals and dancing when they weren&65533;t in the
spotlight themselves. The music was excellent. Keyboard, drums and the two
guitarists had the theatre jumping. The set was nice with a bar which The Doctor
made good use of and there were some fantastic lighting effects. The night ended
with everyone on their feet clapping and stamping along to Summer of 69 and of
course Route 66.
Great feedback
Simon Findel-Hawkins - Manager - Exmouth pavilion - May 2008
27/05/2008
Great feedback from Monday night, one customer claimed it was the
best show the pavilion has ever had !!! Great audience paticipation and
interaction,very professional and the audience loved it. When can we re-book?
Howard & Pauline - Fan Medina Theatre Isle of White May 2008
27/05/2008
Great show tonight on the island. We really liked the pace of the show and it's
great to see live music and dance being performed by artistes who clearly really
enjoy their work. Keep up the good work and hopefully we will take in the show
again in the autumn this year.
Terry Gregory - Entertainments Director - Cooper Avon - Annual Gala
Event
27/05/2008
The Route 66 was sensational last Sunday. The show rocked the place
from start to finish. It was the best we have ever had. Thank you for making our
night such a special one.
A Fast paced, vibrant and beautifully choreographed show
22/04/2008
Gordan Edwards - British Airways Club - Heathrow.
The Showproviders have done it again. Following the recent success of
the Essence of Ireland, The Showproviders have presented their preview of their
new show &65533;Route 66&65533;, which is being produced in association with
Harley-Davidson.
This fast paced, vibrant and beautifully choreographed show brings
together the very best of American music featuring some of America&65533;s best
loved artists including Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Cher, John Denver, Bon Jovi,
Leanne Rhymes, Tina Turner to name but a few.
Clive, the Dr from Doctor and the Medics leads an extremely talented
cast, which includes 4 sensational girl vocal/dancers along side Wayne Denton
(New Faces Winner) and Nathan James (X Factor) and not forgetting the
multi-talented &65533;Route 66&65533; band.
Video footage is cleverly introduced throughout the show giving us
all an insight into this iconic piece of American history.
This commercial fast moving show will appeal to all ages, young and
old and our audience gave the show a deserved standing ovation.
A Brilliant Show
John Bayley - 3J's Pomotions - Northwich
What a Brilliant show - the feedback has been fantastic
I look forward to seeing you again next year.
Fabulous Show
Vince Hope - Manager - Alnwick
Route 66’ was a fabulous show. Thank you very much indeed for making
that happen for us here. Such energy and professionalism, and once again a
fantastic cast and crew to work with!!
Great Show in Derby
Louise - Assembly Rooms - Derby - Fan
I just wanted to say 'thank you' for putting on a great show
lastnight in Derby! Such a great mix of performers - all extremely talented!
My husband and I did Route 66 for our honeymoon in September last
year so it was great to come along to a show like yours and enjoy some memories
from our time over there!!
Also, it was really nice of you all to do the meet and greet at the
end of the show!! Very much appreciated! Everyone was so polite and lovely.
All the best with the rest of your shows!!!
Kind regards,
Louise
A Really Great Evening
Annette & Clive Bryant - Playhouse - Weston Super-Mare
We attended the Route 66 show at the Playhouse in Weston Super-Mare.
We weren't sure what to expect but had a really great evening.
The cast sang brilliantly and the choreography was superb. The
Film footage of Route 66 projected into screens on stage and pulled the whole
thing together and I loved the Harley Davidson on stage!!
The songs brought back memories of old favouites and we ended up
singing along to the whole show.
The Best show I have seen for a while
Russ Brewster - CBS Group
Last nights show was simply fantastic. I have to say that it was one
of the best shows we have seen for a while
We were only going to stay for the first half, but as it was that
good, we stayed right until the end.
The vocalists were all great..however the blonde girl (singer/dancer)
and one of the lead male singer/dancer was exceptional.
The Show was fantastic
Bill Macdonald - Bristol - Fan - Evening Post
I thought the show was fantastic,the energy from the cast spread
among the audience.I have been to a number of shows in london,and i can honestly
say this was one of the best put together shows i have seen.The vocal quaility
of the singers kept me clapping and stamping my feet, and would happily watch
and listen to the show again,realy looking forward when the dvd is on sale,i
will be first in the que.Thanks for a lovely night,wish you all the best for The
rest of your tour.
Bill
Fantastic Show
Mike Forest-Walker - Manager - Leatherhead Theatre
Thank you for a fantastic show on Tuesday. The audience obviously
much enjoyed it. Many Thanks
ROUTE TO SUCCESS!
JIM KENNEDY - ENCORE MAGAZINE - Ferneham Theatre, Fareham - June
2008.
For those who lack imagination, ROUTE 66 is nothing more than a 2,448
mile strip of concrete that runs from Chicago in the East to Los Angeles in the
West. To those of a more agile mind, however, the very name conjures up magic in
story and song, as the road wends its way through eight American States on its
journey from Coast to Coast. Such was the essence of this new show - sponsored
by Harley-Davidson, and for those who love the music of the 60's, 70's, 80's and
90's, I can promise an evening of great enjoyment.
The songs range from the driving force of heavy rock to the more
gentle tones of John Denver, interspersed with some Elvis, Neil Diamond, Cher
and Tina Turner. Providing the male vocals are a trio, all with excellent
voices, ..The Reverend Dr. Clive Thomas Jackson, lead singer of the hit band
'Doctor and the Medics', Wayne Denton, a ringer for John Denver, and the special
Nathan James, tall, good looking and a fine dancer - surely a star waiting to be
discovered.
If the male principals take front stage, it is the four attractive
young ladies who are the catalyst in this enjoyable production. All four - Katie
Ashby, Laura Jean Clinton, Anna Ludford and Phoebe Appleby - look shapely and
sing and dance with great style, but it is their polish that lifts their show to
a higher plane. Whether at the front of stage in dance routines, or upstage as
cosmetic background, their hand and leg movements are polished and beautifully
choreographed.
With over 65 songs on offer, backed by an excellent band, it really
is a musical cornucopia driven with great energy and enthusiasm. Because of
their sponsorship the theatre car park was well filled with Harley-Davidson
motorbikes, with their owners occupying a healthy number of seats on offer - and
with 30 Harley Dealerships throughout Great Britain, and all promising to boost
attendances, the show will surely prove successful, not just because of the
bikers, but mainly because this production is rich in talent and strong in
content, with all the well known songs of a special era.
A safe and well tried policy faithfully adopted by The Show Providers
on every show they present.
Trip Down Memory Lane on Route 66
Heather Annis - Evesham Observer - June 2008.
WHEN the Route 66 tour came to the Evesham Arts Centre, I could not
believe my luck in being invited to attend and write a review of the evening. I
was so excited as it meant I was going to meet Doctor Clive himself from The
Doctor and the Medics. I remembered him from when I was in my teens when they
got to number one with Spirit In The Sky.
The show was an amazing non-stop of American country rock, pop and
classics of Route 66, with songs from Meatloaf, Cher, Eagles, Elvis and Tina
Turner. The highlight for me being a collection of hits by Jon Bon Jovi sung by
Nathan James. It was like Jon Bon Jovi himself was on the stage.
The whole cast brought such life and fun to the show with their
energetic dancing and brilliant voices, you just could not help joining in with
the singing. The audience seemed to be enjoying themselves and we all certainly
made plenty of noise in applauding, singing and dancing.
The show was produced by the Showproviders who are also producing the
critically acclaimed and very successful Irish show titled the Essence of
Ireland, which is touring throughout the UK and Europe this year and next. If
Route 66 is anything to go by, this show will be well worth seeing.
A Fantastic Night Out
Heather Pickstock - Bristol Evening Post - June 2008
The engines roared, the lights went up and the story of the most
famous highway in the world began. Complete with Harley Davidson parked on
stage, the Somerset Hall in Portishead became the venue for a musical journey
along the 2,448 miles of America's famous Route 66.
The show was put on by production company The Show Providers, and the
10-strong cast was headed by the Doctor from Doctor and the Medics - famed for
their number one hit Spirit in the Sky.
The show kicked off with an obvious choice Steppenwolf's Born to be
Wild. but it certainly got the audience rocking. Although with slightly more
wrinkles than in his 80s heyday, The Doctor - aka Clive Jackson - gave a
sterling performance, still wearing his black spider-like make-up and a
selection of colourful, floor-length overcoats. He was powerful on stage as
country legend Johnny Cash singing tracks including Walk the Line, but not so
good as the king of rock and roll Elvis - especially with the wild hair and
make-up. Vocally, The Doctor was excellent, but a catsuit and wig - an obvious
Elvis look, I know - may have made him more believable. However, the audience
went into a frenzy when he reverted to his 80s form to belt out Spirit in the
Sky. He was fantastic as Meatloaf, too.
The show was polished and slick, with excellent vocals - especially
from Katie Ashby, the production's choreographer, and lead vocalist Wayne
Denton. Special mention must go to lead guitarist and musical director Phil
Walker that man made his guitar sing. Wayne, who won New Faces in 1987, came on
as John Denver, singing You Fill up My Senses and Country Roads, a nice
diversion from the heavier rock tunes from the first part of the show.
And the show, being run in association with Harley Davidson Europe,
had a secret weapon in the form of 19-year-old rocker Nathan James who was
equally at home clad in leather as Bon Jovi singing You Give Love a Bad Name as
he was trussed up in a white suit singing Michael Bolton ballads. If Simon
Cowell had been in the audience he would have snapped this chap up without a
thought. It was a first tour for Nathan, but certainly the start of a very
promising career. He had great stage presence, a fantastic voice and looked
great in leather.
Overall, Route 66 was a fantastic night out and a definite date for
the diary.
Fantastic Show
Josie & Dave Howard - Evesham Arts Centre - Observer Newspaper.
ON MAY 28 at Evesham Arts Centre we watched Route 66 which was a
fantastic show by very professional enthusiastic performers. We would recommend
anyone with a love of American rock and country music to see this show. Route 66
are to return later in the year and we shall again be there to join in the fun.
We are so lucky in Evesham to have such a super entertainment facility so let us
support it.
Bringing Back the Memories
Alan Stokes - Harley Great Western Chapter - Bristol.
I attended your show on Sunday 1st June 2008 at the Somerset Hall,
Portishead. I am a member of the Great Western Chapter in Bristol and obviously
ride a Harley. It was for this reason and the connection with Harley Davidson
that I decided to come along and see what it was all about. I must say, I really
did not know what to expect, and I was absolutely astounded by what I saw. The
set, the music and the cast were all superb. I cannot remember when I enjoyed an
evening so much. The songs brought back many pleasant memories, and both my wife
and I found ourselves singing along to the whole show. The screen shots were a
masterpiece and I thought pulled the whole show into context. It certainly made
me feel like jumping on the bike and heading off into the sunset. It was
absolutely brilliant and I found the interaction with the audience really
pleasing. Having spoken to many of my fellow chapter members, I know they feel
the same way. On behalf of the Great Western Chapter, may I once again thank you
all for a tremendously entertaining night. Best wishes for the future and I will
be looking out for future productions.
Great Show
Jill Gilbert - Fan - Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
Just to let you know how much I enjoyed your 'Route 66' show at the
Ludlow Assembly Rooms last night - I drove Route 66 last year, using as much of
the old road as possible, so watching your show allowed me to re-live it! Great
show, excellent cast! - thanks!
Clive Greeney - Theatre Manager - Lowther Pavilion - April 2008
The Show providers certainly provided their Lytham St Annes audience
a lively trip along Route 66. The journey from Chicago to Los Angeles raced
along as song after song was belted out. The gleaming Harley Davidson on stage
and the projected scenes of Route 66 and Americana all added to the excitement.
Wayne Denton, Nathan James and The Doctor sang in the style of such
greats as Meatloaf, Bon Jovi and Johnny Cash to name a few. With classic songs
like Born to be Wild, Drove All Night, Bat Out of Hell and Holding Out For a
Hero it would be hard to go wrong. The girls gave tribute to Tina Turner and
Cher amongst others. I liked the way each song led smoothly to the next and the
artists supported each other by providing backing vocals and dancing when they
weren't in the spotlight themselves.
The music was excellent. Keyboard, drums and the two guitarists had
the theatre jumping. The set was nice with a bar which The Doctor made good use
of and there were some fantastic lighting effects. The night ended with everyone
on their feet clapping and stamping along to Summer of 69 and of course Route
66.
Simon Findel-Hawkins - Manager - Exmouth pavilion - May 2008
Great feedback from Monday night, one customer claimed it was the
best show the pavilion has ever had !!! Great audience paticipation and
interaction,very professional and the audience loved it. When can we re-book?
Howard & Pauline - Fan Medina Theatre Isle of White May 2008
Great show tonight on the island. We really liked the pace of the
show and it's great to see live music and dance being performed by artistes who
clearly really enjoy their work. Keep up the good work and hopefully we will
take in the show again in the autumn this year.
Terry Gregory - Entertainments Director - Cooper Avon - Annual Gala
Event
The Route 66 was sensational last Sunday. The show rocked the place
from start to finish. It was the best we have ever had. Thank you for making our
night such a special one.
A Fast paced, vibrant and beautifully choreographed show
Gordan Edwards - British Airways Club - Heathrow.
The Showproviders have done it again. Following the recent success of
the Essence of Ireland, The Showproviders have presented their preview of their
new show 'Route 66', which is being produced in association with
Harley-Davidson. This fast paced, vibrant and beautifully choreographed show
brings together the very best of American music featuring some of America's best
loved artists including Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Cher, John Denver, Bon Jovi,
Leanne Rhymes, Tina Turner to name but a few. Clive, the Dr from Doctor and the
Medics leads an extremely talented cast, which includes 4 sensational girl
vocal/dancers along side Wayne Denton (New Faces Winner) and Nathan James (X
Factor) and not forgetting the multi-talented 'Route 66' band. Video footage is
cleverly introduced throughout the show giving us all an insight into this
iconic piece of American history. This commercial fast moving show will appeal
to all ages, young and old and our audience gave the show a deserved standing
ovation.