"Motown: The Musical" Gears Up to Play the Hits in Scotland's Capital.

Lewis Baird

It's the run up to Christmas which means theatres are preparing for Panto season. However, in the case of the Edinburgh Playhouse, it's preparing for a busy November and December which features two fantastic musicals. In December they have the fabulous “Kinky Boots” stomping it's way through their doors, but first, “Motown the musical”, which gives  audience members the ultimate experience of Soul music.

It comes to Scotland's largest theatre, the Edinburgh Playhouse, this Tuesday (20th November) till  Saturday (8th December).

With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, “I’ll Be There”, “Dancing In The Street”, “Stop! In The Name Of Love”, “My Girl” and “I Heard It through the Grapevine”. While also hearing these iconic tracks you will also get the story of how they were created.

The show features Edward Baruwa in the leading role of ‘Berry Gordy’, Karis Anderson as ‘Diana Ross’, Nathan Lewis as ‘Smokey Robinson’ and Shak Gabbidon-Williams as ‘Marvin Gaye’. 

This musical follows the true story of Berry Gordy. With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.  Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.  

Tony nominated “Motown the Musical” received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York and recouped its $18 million investment by the end of 2014.  The first US National Tour opened to critical acclaim in Spring 2014 in Chicago, grossing $20 million dollars during its standing room only sixteen-week run.

Get your tickets for this critically acclaimed musical, that promises to entertain thousands of Edinburgh's musical theatre and soul music lovers into the festive season.

Look out for my verdict this week, on whether “Motown the musical" lives up to all the acclaim.

Tickets are available below for Edinburgh and the rest of the tour.