Review: Boyband in the Buff with Gareth Gates at The Anvil

Gareth brought his touring show Boyband in the Buff to the theatre for one night only, and it did not disappoint.

The mostly female crowd at The Anvil were clearly ready for a fun evening as the five lads bounced onto the stage with high energy and a genuine willingness to please.

Speaking ahead of the show, Gareth promised a night of nostalgia, harmonies and a “cheeky twist”, and that is exactly what he delivered.

The production was inspired by his passion for pop music, theatre and fitness, drawing on all the big boybands of the 1990s, including Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Westlife, Take That, Blue and Five.

The set was relatively simple, featuring a scaffold-style frame and platform. But from the moment the performers appeared, it was clear the audience wasn’t fussed about fancy design work, or costumes, for that matter, which were swiftly removed to reveal toned, muscular chests, much to the delight of those watching.

The five-strong cast, including West End performers and dancers, delivered polished, perfectly choreographed routines and tongue-in-cheek stripteases while showcasing impressive vocal talents. They sang all the 1990s boyband favourites, from upbeat tracks to soulful ballads.

Highlights included Westlife’s Flying Without Wings and Blue’s One Love. A slightly cringe-worthy moment came when members of the audience were invited on stage to sit on chairs during Another Level’s Freak Me. For anyone familiar with the lyrics, it was definitely one to peek through fingers and hope not to be chosen. Those who joined in were great sports, embracing the humour and entertaining the crowd.

After an interval and a few drinks, the second half became even more raucous. Many fans dashed to the front to grab the performers’ hands as they sat with legs dangling from the edge of the stage, clearly enjoying the wild enthusiasm in the room.

One performer stood out as the resident joker, keeping everyone laughing with cheeky lines and playful innuendo.

Gareth, who shot to fame on Pop Idol in 2002, displayed his years of stage experience from West End productions such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Legally Blonde.

He had everyone on their feet with a surprise solo of his 2003 Comic Relief single Spirit in the Sky, a surreal highlight that saw him singing about having a “friend in Jesus” while dancing shirtless — a moment that delighted the now hyper crowd.

In true boyband style, the performers feigned an ending before returning to the roaring chants and stamping feet of fans demanding more.

The finale featured the promised “cheeky twist” along with a triumphant rendition of Take That’s epic anthem Never Forget, a perfectly fitting end to a show that few will forget in a hurry.