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A sprint down memory lane
Joseph Eaton-Kent as Tim and Elizah Jackson as Sonya Picture: Robert Day Three-minute Heroes
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
***** If you fancy a
gentle stroll down musical memory lane, forget it! Three-minute heroes
provides a two-tone, high-octane romp with humour by the bucket, music,
dancing and the story of our heroes clambering up the greasy pole to
fame. Too good to be true? Ruder than U might be a
fictional band but the songs come directly from the greats – The
Specials, Selector, Madness and The famous Cov against Racism concert of
1981 that stopped a riot in its tracks. And directed by Bob Eaton This slice of history
should be required viewing for all wannabe X Factor contestants. The
performance is given great 1979 context by wonderful backdrop
photography, a concrete jungle ‘Lanch’, Lanchester Polytechnic (now The year of 1979 was far from the country or
Coventry’s finest political hour and the songs reflect it in every word
– though not the music which is buoyant, bubbly and beautiful. I’m Ska’d
for life! Zack (Sheldon Green) meets songwriter Sonya (Elizah
Jackson) at a gig at the ‘Lanch’. They meet next day to listen to music
and her band mates Tim (Joseph Eaton-Kent) and the gorgeous if
light-fingered punk milkman and roadie (in the milkfloat!) Sean (Conor
John Nolan) with Sonya’s friend Sharon (Sarah Workman), a singer. Other band members arrive and are invited to
join. Joey Hickman plays trombone in the Bedworth Band – where would Ska
be without brass? All the musicians seem to be not only able to play
amazingly well but channelling their inner Tigger – at the same time!
The story is rags to riches – for some of them – against a backdrop of
strikes and serious racial tension. Sean, as a character, reflects the
changes in fashion and mood of the young people. He evens goes as far as
New Romantic and gay when his standard skinhead haircut has him barred
from his friends’ gigs. The Belgrade warnings about references to drug
use, offensive language and so on are hilarious in themselves and one
line in particular is still making me laugh 12 hours on. It’s far too
saucy to reveal but if you meet me ask and I’ll whisper in your ear.To
25-10-14 Jane Howard
08-10-14
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