CELEBRATING 50 years of UK number one hit singles, the Magic of Motown brings its new Reach Out Tour to Blackpool Grand Theatre in August.

Songs like Dancing In The Street, My Girl, Where Did Our Love Go, My Guy and Baby Love rocketed Motown to the top of the charts in 1964, says show producer Michael Taylor.

“Incredibly, 100 more Motown No1s followed worldwide,” he says. “The Magic of Motown 2014 Reach Out Tour brings 36 of these chart toppers back-to-back in one critically-acclaimed production.”

Direct from the USA, the show promises five-star performances that will authentically revive the style and sophistication of everyone’s favourite Motown legends.

Classic hits from the Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and The Supremes are packed into the two-hour spectacular.

“As well as dazzling dance moves and glittering costumes galore, the elusive, authentic sound of Motown is recreated by our incredible Magic of Motown band,” Michael says.

The group, especially put together for the show, celebrate their 10th year on this tour.

“In their capable hands you can guarantee that the score will be – with a nod to the great Stevie Wonder – uptight . . . all right and out of sight,” he says.

In 1964, Motown crossed the Atlantic to become a musical phenomenon on these shores. The label’s touring concert show, the Motown Revue starring Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, (Little) Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross and the Supremes, paved the way for Motown’s UK chart-storming success. That year the charts were peppered with Motown songs.

To mark the occasion, The Magic of Motown brings an all-new production for 2014 to the stage with a 100-date nationwide tour.

Male lead Andre Lejaune promises new numbers added to the show’s already hit-packed score.

“America wowed the world with slickly choreographed concert shows by Motown artists offering the full package,” Michael says.

Artists like the Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Mary Wells and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas oozed style, sophistication and vocal dexterity.

Florida-born and bred singer Andre says: “It goes back to what we’re taught in stage school. The importance of establishing a rapport with the audience is lesson number one. You’re forever gauging their reaction. If what you’re doing isn’t gelling, you switch. They’ve paid their money to come and see you, so there must be something in your repertoire that’ll please them.”

It was not only the distinctive Motown sound created by founder Berry Gordy Jnr back in 1959 that set the label’s artists apart from other artists of the era. For mass market appeal, artistes’ images were carefully controlled from dress and choreography right down to their manners.

The Magic of Motown demands the same exacting standards from its performers.

“And with dozens of costume changes shoe-horned into each show, at times there can be just as much going on backstage as there is under the spotlights,” Andre says.

Today, the show is recognised as the UK’s number one Motown concert show on tour.

Andre says: “We still rehearse once a week – making sure our moves are on point and harmonies spot on. We’d never want to let an audience down.”

That American grounding raises its head once again.

Magic of Motown, Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Sunday, August 17. For details, call 01253 290190.