Express route to alternative Christmas joy.

Byline: Roz Laws

SOUL Train isn't so much a musical as a very lively concert. There is no plot whatsoever, just one song after another.

And what songs they are - everything from Respect and I'm Gonna Make You Love Me to Sexual Healing and Dock of the Bay.

If you don't like one there'll be another one along in a minute, with almost 50 soul classics crammed into a 2-hour show at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre.

To keep our interest there are plenty of costume changes, a car with flashing multi-coloured lights and video footage on a big screen.

There is also some highly energetic dancing - it's incredible they have any breath left to sing.

The cast is made up of a dozen mostly unknown performers. The exception is Sheila Ferguson of The Three Degrees, but she is by no means the star of the show.

This is a true group effort. The male singers are particularly impressive, while Melanie E. Marshall packs a punch with a spine-tingling Stay With Me.

There's humour too, provided by Colin Roy in a ridiculous Afro wig, serenading an embarrassed female member of the audience. If you don't want to be dragged up on stage, don't sit in the front row.

But by the end of the evening, everyone was out of their seats and dancing. This production is a must for soul fans and an entertaining alternative to those tired of Christmas and pantomimes.

Soul Train keeps on running at the Alex until Saturday January 8.

Roz Laws

Did the Soul Train leave you transported? Write and tell us what you think about the show at Talk About, Sunday Mercury, 28 Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AZ.

CAPTION(S):

GROUP EFFORT... Sheila Ferguson with fellow Soul Train stars