Mod @ C ECA

Despite the finale song declaring (painfully): “once the world was drab, now the world is fab,” this is not a thrilling tribute to 60s Mod culture embracing British beat music, motor scooters, African American soul, Jamaican ska, R&B and amphetamine-fuelled all-night dancing at clubs. Neither is it the “original musical comedy” it tips itself to be. Rather it is a banal, nostalgic Beatle-mania retrospective that dares not name a single other band from the era. It gives no insight to, nor understanding of, the motivations, moods, nor history of the movement. If you want for the 60s what Grease did for the 50s you are bound to be disappointed.

All the characters are pathetic. It stars emasculated males that, without a hint of self-realisation, somehow manage to get the girl - as well as ditzy, unintelligent little girls who are so shallow they can do nothing but “oh my god” at the mere thought or mention of The Beatles whom they are fated to sing nearly a dozen numbers in praise of.

The score improves towards the late middle with a couple of passable songs, but at best they remain unmemorable. The attempt towards pastiche is not fully realised either. The jangly sound of the guitars and Animals-esque organs seem about right, but there is too much production on the drums for the soundtrack to really sound 60s and the songs are far from hooky enough. More 60s clichés could have been incorporated into the music, especially in the style of the vocal harmonies.

If there is one thing that MOD gets right it is the choreography, which captures the era perfectly and is well danced to boot. Hopefully Infinity Repertory Theatre (New York) will search their infinite repertoire for something more worthy for 2013, it’s heartbreaking to see such a young and ambitious cast struggle to breathe life into such poor material.