ALL aboard! A spectacular live theatre show featuring some of the greatest hits of Motown will be calling in to the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn, next Saturday night.

The Motown Express features a six-piece band, including brass section, recreating the work of the legendary Funk Brothers who played on all the recordings from Berry Gordy’s Motown Studios in Detroit.

There will also be three female singers — Victoria Francis, Jenni Tarr and Holly Reynolds — who will present songs from some of Motown’s most famous all-girl groups and solo artists, ranging from the Supremes to Martha Reeves.

Victoria said: “We all love the music of Motown and wanted the show to be an authentic tribute to the record label.”

The stage set includes a specially-lit 10ft train which the audience soon learn is the narrator for the evening, offering an insight into the history of Motown and introducing the many different artists who came out of Detroit.

“We wanted to create a fully live show which does the music justice,” said Victoria. “Motown had so many hits which have become timeless classics.

“We started touring the show in October last year and good a great response from theatre audiences.

“This year we want to go on from that and we have added a trumpeter to our existing saxophonist to create a full sound.”

Offering a series of costume changes and songs from artists including The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and the Four Tops, the Motown Express offers a first class ticket to the history of modern pop music.

“We will be including a special tribute in the show to the Funk Brothers, the house band from the studios who gave Motown its distinctive sound,” said Victoria.

“We let our musicians have their chance to bring out the funk of the Funk Brothers, which always goes down well.”

The Motown Express, Thwaites Empire Theatre, Ewood, Saturday, February 8. Details from the box office on 01254 685500.