IF you ever wanted to get a taste of what life may be like for those pop hopefuls who perform week in, week out, to try to win the X Factor, then this is for you.
An incredibly enthusiastic audience made sure the first night of The eXtra Factor set a benchmark which could prove tough to surpass.
It was impressive that this was not only the first of five dates in Peterborough, but the premiere of the whole tour, which will stretch long into 2009.
Not only do you get to listen to two songs from each of the six performers (Kevin Kennedy's Dancing in the Dark and Suzanne Carley's Bleeding Love were both excellent), but also get snapshots from the chaotic in-house life which goes on between shows.
Dark secrets are revealed, relationships are formed, but all done with the finger pressed down on the buzzer marked fun.
Some characters are trying that little bit too hard to win the show, but their deviousness is soon overturned, much to the delight, and amusement, of the audience.
As the clock ticked past 9pm, it was clear the show is aimed at a post-watershed crowd, as the jokes, and language, got stronger.
However the spirit of the television show, on which it is based, ensures The eXtra Factor is a must see for fans of the ITV programme. You even get to vote for the winner.
As Antony Costa's amiable character Cal would do – it's a two thumbs up.
- The show runs each night, at 7.30pm, until Saturday. To book call 01733 552439.
The full article contains 274 words and appears in Peterborough ET newspaper.
