This is a strange experience. Firstly it was a gig in a theatre, and a very beautiful one at that. Secondly the audience was extremely middle-aged - the only youngsters being there with their parents and looking a bit baffled. The audience also strengthened news of the obesity crisis. But sadly even vast quantities of flab couldn't dissuade them from getting up and dancing. A group of middle-aged "girls" in front of us were a serious menace - suitably lubricated with expensive theatre alcohol they were miming away to the songs with such reckless vigour that they nearly had our eyes out.
But the most curious part was the performance. ABC (alias Martin Fry) has essentially been using the same material for 30 years. This performance took the form of two halves, a collection of miscellaneous material in a first half followed by the Lexicon Of Love album in full after the interval. All ABC's best work was in that album apart perhaps from the show's opener, "When Smokey Sings". But Martin, still looking very dapper in suit and waistcoat, was backed not only by a band and two fine backing singers, but also by a full orchestra, somewhat explaining the exorbitant ticket prices. This did result in the songs being slightly over-orchestrated, which makes the music rather more serious than it merits. ABC lyrics are largely corny and cliched.
There is also a catch in playing an album in full and in order of the tracks. You don't necessarily end with the barnstorming uplifting track you wish to send the crowd home with. Lexicon of Love does end with a very nice song, "All of my Heart", but not their best. So back they came for a single song encore and no option buty to sing one they had sung only half an hour earlier, the relentlessly catchy "Look of Love".
But for all that, an enjoyable evening. Martin Fry still has everything he ever had, and it is fair to say the songs have been well-honed over the years.
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