A PAIR of eighties aficionados tell Joanna Davis why the decade that time (and taste) forgot is experiencing a renaissance. There will be a chance to sing along to all the greatest hits as 80s impersonators take to the stage of Weymouth Pavilion on February 6 for 80s Mania

SPEAKING from their Tamworth home, Vikki Holland-Bowyer and Greg Stevenson, directors and producers of 80s Mania, tell me just why they love the decade’s music so much.

Greg said: “I think, for us, it was our formative years. The era of music when you leave your school stays with you.

“We think looking backwards is the new looking forwards. Everyone wants to be back there.

“A lot of people want to be entertained in a theatre environment.”

Among the acts the Pavilion audience can expect to see at the forthcoming show are Kim Wilde, A-Ha, Duran Duran, Wham!, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, Spandau Ballet, Madness, Erasure and The Human League.

Vikki becomes Madonna while Greg becomes Adam Ant and Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet fame.

Vikki said: “The hardest thing has to be doing Madonna’s voice. Movement wise she’s easy to emulate.

“She’s quite a bolshie character.

“We make it a very authentic tribute act, because we are actors as well, we work hard to make it authentic.

“People are paying good money to see a professional show so we have got to give it 100 per cent.”

Greg said he most enjoys the role of Adam Ant, especially donning the singer’s dandy highwayman style.

“I really enjoy playing dress up. I love going out there as Adam Ant and really giving it to them. I have to be very energetic.

“The crowd really respond and gives us back energy.

“We try very seriously to emulate these people and we put a lot of stuff into it.”

The duo, who are engaged, have been producing the 80s show for six years.

Vikki said: “It’s like going to see a concert of all the 80s acts and how they looked back then.

“A lot of people in the 35 to 55-year-old age group really seem to enjoy all the 80s stuff.

“It gives them a sense of nostalgia.

“We encourage audience participation and people are invited to dress up in 80s fashions if they wish.

“We have more than 150 costumes, 25 artists and 35 hits, five dancers, a four piece band, lighting changes and video projection.

“There’s not a song that doesn’t go down well.”

Following the UK tour of 80s Mania, Vikki and Greg will be taking the show further afield in Europe – to Denmark and Holland.

l 80s Mania is at Weymouth Pavilion on Friday, February 6 from 7.30pm. Contact the venue or visit 80smaniashow.com for more details.