Musical Bingo at the National Theatre

Musical Bingo at the National Theatre

15 September, 2009
by: Sandraleong

After being shown up by a bunch of drones in Next suits at last week's Popbitch Popquiz, I've been contemplating if I should retire from games and perhaps life altogether. But just as I am about to burn my collection of Q magazine in a fit of rage, redemption pings in my e-mail inbox: Would I like to try Musical Bingo at the Green Room at the National Theatre? There'll be prizes! Oo-er, chance to win some free Haribo and feel less of a loser? Sign me up.

Musical Bingo, for those who don't get out much, is bingo sans numbers - a good thing, considering I have an arts degree. Here's how it works: You get a grid full of song titles as a deejay/bingo caller spins up a mish-mash of tunes. Cross off what you have and yell 'Bingo!' when you've got a line; or 'Full House!' when you've marked off your entire card.

Sounds easy enough. I gather some company and head to the Green Room on a Friday night. The bar seems a little sleepy at first, but starts filling up when the post-theatre crowds - anyone from artsy types to families - start streaming in. Though we each get a bingo sheet, our strategy is to play as a team to really obliterate the field. Entry is free and so we’re up for er, a veritable bonanza of prizes: a rotating ice-cream cone, a super-sized packet of wine gums, a Slumdog Millionaire DVD, a bucket of beers and an ever-exciting ‘mystery prize’.

Bingo caller and host for the night is the statuesque Jess Indeedy, who's rocking sexy thigh high boots and an American accent. She kicks off the round with The Bee Gee's 'Staying Alive' and we hunker down for serious business. Steamrolling through tracks like AC/DC's 'Back In Black', The Specials' 'Ghost Town' and Billy Joel's 'Uptown Girl', we quickly become the team to beat. Finally, we’re left waiting – fingers crossed – for Smokey Robinson's ‘The Tracks of My Tears’ to complete three lines on our card. Ah, those sad and lonely years of youth spent plastered to the radio are finally paying off.

I feel my heart thumping in anticipation – will Smokey come through for us? Luck’s on our side and the opening chords of the song soon trickle on. We’re elated to win the gimmicky ice-cream cone and the wine gums but are more than impressed with the mystery prize: a bottle of red wine. Feeling generous, we allow the last prize – a bucket of beer – to go to someone else. Or that’s what we tell everyone anyway.

Sadly, we do less well in Round Two, mainly because it's a hip-hop round and being slightly less ‘down wiz da kids’ with this genre, we’re out of our depth. Also to blame is the lovely Jess Indeedy, who offers me a Bingotini on the house. The cocktail is a pleasing but potent mix of strawberry liquer and marshmallows - and suddenly I'm feeling a lot less competitive and a little friendlier. The music plays on but being a bit tipsy, we manage to identify The Beastie Boys, Naughty By Nature, Skee-Lo… and not much else. 

No matter. By this time, I’m bouncing on the sofa throwing a variety of shapes never before seen on the dancefloor.  A friend of mine, birthday girl for the night, is waving a makeshift banner that reads ‘today, my birthday, it is’. A few other people at my table are drawing dirty pictures on each other with permanent marker. Right, time to beat a hasty retreat then.

So what to make of Musical Bingo? It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted, the tune-deaf and music snobs. After all, you’re more likely to hear Britney than Bjork; Kings of Leon than Kings of Convenience. For everyone else, it’s a fantastic night out; a wicked excuse for a cheesy knees-up involving regular sing-a-longs, good-natured boo-ing (though I must clarify this is frowned upon by the host) and mad dancing. Best enjoyed if you leave your dignity at the door.

For more information on Musical Bingo, click here.

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