Review: Rule the World – The UK’s No. 1 Take That Act
The show opened with blinding white strobe lights, a trio of musicians and four female dancers in powder blue onesies holding a balloon each. The theme was the circus. In the background, there was a screen which highlighted prominent dates in the career of Take That – namely when they first formed and became popular, when Robbie left, when they all split up, when they re-formed and the titles of their successful tours. Then the performance began in earnest. The four members of Take That, who would have performed in the Circus Tour appeared – Gary, Mark, Jason and Howard. This fab four sang songs from that particular era; Shine and Hold Up a Light, whilst the four dancers gracefully worked the stage in costumes which were in keeping with the circus theme.
After a few numbers, the stage was cleared and much to my surprise, a Robbie Williams look and sound-a-like emerged in front of us all. He launched into the famous Robbie anthems such as Let Me Entertain You and, almost everyone’s favourite, Angels. Suddenly, Robbie’s presence on stage escalated the evening up several notches. The audience could feel and smell this man’s X Factor. He not only looked similar to Robbie facially, but he sang and spoke like him. He had the same cheeky chappy appeal, mannerisms and approach to life. The crowd in the Spa Pavilion loved him.
The evening went from strength to strength. There was a fantastic crowd pleasing second half, whereby all five members of Rule the World were performing together, and they did so in a way that would make Take That extremely proud. They sang all the hits brilliantly and danced just as the original band members would have done. Famous Take That song after famous Take That song was performed and the audience just lapped up the electric and hedonistic atmosphere. When the members of Rule the World stepped down into the audience to sing, the mobile phones came out and individuals seized the opportunity to get selfies with a band member or two.
I have never seen an audience at the Spa Pavilion so excited and willing to party as they did at this concert. It was obvious that Rule the World loved every minute of the evening, and it was even more apparent that the audience appreciated their efforts From Never Forget and Relight My Fire, to Pray and Everything Changes but You, all the likely Take That hits were incorporated into the evening. With powerful and impressive vocals from all of the members – particularly Robbie, Gary and Mark, Rule the World really did shine bright in Felixstowe.
Reviewed by Gill Atacocugu
