Eurovision Your Decision | Royal Vauxhall Tavern

It comes around once a year and gets everyone, from children to grandparents, buzzing with excitement. No, not Christmas, it’s the Eurovision Song Contest! Uniting Europe (and yes, even Australia—don’t ask!) since 1956, this year, it’s Basel’s turn to shine as Switzerland plays host to the world’s campest competition. To celebrate, Eurovision: Your Decision returns for a fifth year with a strictly limited run at London’s iconic Royal Vauxhall Tavern, because really—what’s another year without a little drama and an unnecessary key change.

We’re all invited to #CumJoinTogether for a part-parody, part-cabaret, all-out celebration of everything we love about Eurovision. Take a whistle-stop tour through our favourite entries from the past ‘150 years’—from iconic winners to cult classics. With 14 legendary Eurovision songs performed live, the audience gets to vote for their favourite, guaranteeing a different winner every night.

Will the show be My Number One, or will we all be left Running Scared?

Our Eurovision fever dream begins as we meet our hosts, Tim McArthur as Demetrius and Lucy Penrose as Katie. They lead us through the opening proceedings with the charming awkwardness we’ve come to expect from Eurovision hosts. After a quick costume change or two, they’re joined by Jo Wickham and David McMullan, transforming into our iconic Eurovision stars, ready to take us on a whistle-stop tour of Europe.

Setting the tone from the outset, we’re treated to the iconic skirt-ripping moment from Bucks Fizz — a move so memorable it allegedly caused Velcro to sell out in record time. This legendary number, synonymous with UK Eurovision history, is recreated with impressive faithfulness… right up until the final reveal, when a little more is revealed than you might expect. Serbia’s viral 2022 entry, In Corpore Sano, follows in the most hilariously unexpected way. It’s pure genius — and how the actors manage to keep a straight face is beyond me.

It isn’t all jokes, though—there are some incredible vocal performances as well. Wickham delivers a powerful tribute to Linda Martin, belting out Why Me, the 1992 Eurovision winner, while McMullan impresses with his soaring homage to Conchita, performing Rise Like a Phoenix with real conviction. Still, it’s the comedic moments that truly shine: simple, effective, and delivered in rapid succession. Penrose’s ode to Loreen is unlike anything you’ve ever seen as was her impressive bi-lingual skills during Celine Dion’s Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and McArthur’s portrayal of Käärijä is as faithful as it gets with his signature green sleeves insanely recognisable.

Between each act, a postcard-style VT—voiced by comedian Matt Richardson—offers a playful hint at what's coming next. His commentary adds a touch of realism to the otherwise bonkers proceedings with a special nod at song nine to the late, great Terry Wogan. Additional videos appear during the jury voting segment before the audience votes are announced with a standout moment coming as we receive the points from Iceland, where the spokesperson is a hilarious parody of Kerry Katona. Cue the references to a prawn ring.

McArthur, who also directs and writes the show, brings a clear passion and enthusiasm for the Eurovision Song Contest that shines through in every moment. While the production playfully pokes fun at what many consider a guilty pleasure, it’s clear that it comes from a place of genuine affection. Now in its fifth year, the show’s potential feels limitless—especially with Eurovision’s ever-growing audience, which drew an estimated 180 million viewers worldwide last year.

While the United Kingdom may not have been topping the Eurovision scoreboard in recent years, there's one thing we do better than anyone — our unrivalled sense of humour. This show captures that brilliantly, celebrating everything we love about Eurovision. It’s sure to score high with audiences!

Eurovision Your Decision Runs at Royal Vauxhall Tavern until 17th May 2025.

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★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Dave Bird