The premise is brilliantly simple: Fifteen countries compete, with each act more excruciating than the last. During interval, the audience votes, either by iPhone or on voting coupons supplied. During the second act, the voting is counted, and the winner announced. On opening night it was the obsequious Irish entrant, Ronan Corr (Cameron Gill) who won over the audience with his fog-bound rendition of “La-La-La”.

Utilising vast amounts of sequins, glitter, paper flitter flutter and heavy fog, first-time director Emma Tattam gets the tone pitch perfect.

Lachlan Ruffy and Sarah Golding are brilliant as the viperish Sergei, and vapid Boyka, who just manage to maintain an uneasy truce long enough to compere the show.

The large ensemble cast frequently change identities and nationalities. The accents are definitely dodgy, and not all 15 acts hit their mark, indeed some rather outstay their welcome. But all are well-rehearsed, and enthusiastically performed in clever costumes by Suzan Cooper, which range from inspired to outlandish.

Jordan Kelly, surely Canberra’s busiest choreographer, has excelled himself in creating a succession of brilliant, laugh-out-loud, high-camp dance routines that are enhanced by Phil Goodwin’s truly dazzling light show.

So, what’s not to like about “Eurobeat”.

TOP PHOTO:  Norway… Max Gambale, Anthony Simeonovic, Calen Robinson and Tim Stiles. Photo by Mick Deutsch