REVIEW: Movin’ Melvin Brown at the Komedia, Brighton

Excitement because the Brighton Festival offers one of the world’s top programmes of arts and music, but also because it means Movin’ Melvin Brown will be back in town.

My mum and I have seen Movin’ Melvin perform at the festival four times now, and Sunday’s performance at the Komedia in Brighton was, perhaps, the best ever.

Movin’ Melvin is a joyful ball of energy, and we just couldn’t help but smile throughout his Soul to Soul show.

It tells the story of the slaves’ journey from Africa to America through song and dance, particularly tap dance.

Despite the weighty subject matter, Movin’ Melvin manages to get you thinking about racial inequality while keeping the tone relatively upbeat by using the songs of James Brown, Otis Reading, Stevie Wonder and many more.

And you can’t help but warm to Movin’ Melvin, with his deep and warm tones and infectious laugh and enough energy to put most teenagers to shame.

It’s clear this recipe for success is what keeps people coming back to see him year after year. It was evident many audience members had seen Movin’ Melvin before, and they were more than happy to get up and dance along with the night’s more upbeat tunes.

My only complaint would be that it all finished too soon!

I’m already looking forward to seeing him again next year.