Scissor Sisters – Live Review – Scarborough Open Air Theatre
By Christine Goode, August 2026
Sunshine, beachside buzz, and anticipation for tonight’s gig – it feels like we could be at a stylish festival overseas, but my guest and I are in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. We are sitting on the beach with thousands of others soaking up the sun, many of whom, like us, have come for the renowned Scarborough Open Air Theatre. The venue has built a strong reputation for attracting big-name acts, and tonight is no exception: the Scissor Sisters.
The reunion tour features three members of the original band; Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis, who are joined on stage by Randy Real, Karme Caruso and powerhouse singers Amber Martin and Bridget Barkan.
The band is supported by two acts, Canadian Indie pop band The Hidden Cameras and Bimini, Drag queen, singer, and model. Both acts brought their own unique vibe the venue, and had the crowd charged up and set to see the mighty Scissor Sisters.
“Increasingly giddy”
The crowd grows increasingly giddy as the stage crew finally reveal the set: an army truck, a telephone box, rugged terrain, and a giant pair of scissors! The drum kit, keyboard, other instruments, and musicians are all woven into the scene rather than placed centre stage, creating something far more theatrical than a typical gig. It is going to be a full-on, wonderfully bonkers spectacle, with a huge video screen at the back adding a storytelling backdrop for each song, and what else would you expect from the Scissor Sisters
The band comes out and the crowd go wild, with hit song ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancing’ setting the precedent for the rest of the show, hit after hit, ‘Laura’, ‘She’s My Man’, ‘I Can’t Decide’, ‘Take You’re Mama’, to name a few.
26 years since the band was formed and Shears sounds better than ever, as he commands the stage bouncing and dancing around in an enormously high cowboy hat, vest top and blue and gold sequinned dungarees, he has the crowd in the palm of his hand.
Eventually after singing around five songs, he connects with crowd, welcoming newcomers, and day one fans, thanking them for their support.
“Sassy, sexy and glamorous”
The ladies of the band Amber Martin and Briget Barkin are enthralling to watch. Sassy, sexy and glamourous, these two vocal dynamos are also playful and risqué and give nonstop high energy performances with multiple costume changes throughout, like a breath of fresh air they team up with Shears perfectly.
The show is outrageous, theatrical, and utterly fabulous. Appealing to all genders and age groups, it was great to see everyone coming together enjoying the whole evening. Many fans really went all out and were covered head to toe in sequins, or crazy wigs, but everyone all had one thing in common, the love of this iconic band and their music.
The gig went so quickly and before we knew it, we were shouting for more! They came back with ‘Filthy/ Gorgeous’ and ‘Music is the Victim’ for the encore and the atmosphere was electric, the crowd singing and dancing along whooping and cheering along.
The vibe as we were leaving was great, everybody still singing, and excitedly chatting how great the show was. This morning, I wake up with multiple earworms in my head, but still on a high from this special show.
Images: Cuffe & Taylor
Christine Goode founded her own dance school – The May School of Dance & Theatre Arts over three decades ago. Her dedication to teaching and love of dance, has created many successful artists in the industry, and she is delighted that many of her former students have now returned with their children, allowing them to also discover this beautiful art. She has choreographed, produced and directed shows over the last 36 years, and is devoted to all live theatre and music. Now in her third year of writing about her obsession with the arts, Christine loves to encourage everyone to see as much live theatre as possible.
maydanceschool.co.uk
