Carys Jeffrey Evans has a dream: to become the UK’s next Eurovision entry. With the BBC no longer running a public selection show, she hopes her love letter to Eurovision will catch the eye of the selection panel. Failing that, she plans to hand-deliver the petition that every audience member is encouraged to sign at the end of the performance.
Opening with this year’s winning song, Bulgaria’s “Bangaranga” by DARA, set an energetic tone. Unfortunately, that momentum isn’t sustained as we’re subjected to a PowerPoint tour through Eurovision history that goes on a little too long. Unfortunately, the presentation never quite finds its feet. Lines are mispronounced and the slides move on too quickly, making the whole thing feel more chaotic than engaging.
Evans is clearly passionate about the contest and recounts her Eurovision awakening through Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, starring Will Ferrell. We hear about her upbringing in Canada, what Eurovision means to her and, most importantly, why she thinks she should be the UK’s next act.
Carys’ TED Talk, “Carys Should Be the UK’s Next Eurovision Entry”, delves into the Eurovision phenomenon, showcasing her evident expertise and passion for the contest. The strongest part comes towards the end when the presentation gives way to something much more personal. Here, Evans speaks with real heart and sincerity, and for the first time you really understand why Eurovision means so much to her.
She has a wealth of songs, clichés and Eurovision references to draw from but there is a noticeable lack of polish, the very quality we expect from the Eurovision stage. Credit to Evans, she also doesn’t shy away from the controversy surrounding the contest, particularly its political voting. As she rightly points out, Eurovision’s stated commitment to being non-political is in itself a political statement.
Performing Emma Muscat’s ‘I Am What I Am’ was an unusual choice particularly given that it failed to make it out of the semi-finals. While it certainly highlighted the song’s atrocious lyrics there were plenty of other options that might have resonated more with a casual audience. Concluding with Cornelia Jakobs’ ‘Hold Me Closer’ however allowed Evans to showcase her vocal ability and emotional expression ending the performance on a positive note.
Yet a convincing argument for why she should be the next UK act, it is not. We’re taken through the many ingredients that make a great Eurovision entry, the song, staging and vocals, only to be persuaded that enthusiasm can be enough to secure the ticket to Eurovision. There is no doubt that Carys would make a great ambassador for the UK but this presentation doesn’t quite make the case that she should be the one on stage. A poignant moment in which Carys shares her bucket list with the audience is a lovely touch and she can already tick one item off it: performing a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Fringe.
However, the talk missed the mark when it came to the comedy Eurovision is famous for, the sheer craziness and unpredictability of it all. At Eurovision everything is bigger and bolder than the year before. It would be great to see this show return in true Eurovision style: bigger, bolder and with a little more of the madness that makes the contest so irresistible. There is something inherently funny about giving a TED Talk on why you should represent the UK at Eurovision. Unfortunately, the show doesn’t always find the comedy in that premise. It’s not quite nil points, but it’s no fairytale either.
★★
Gifted ticket in exchange for an honest review.