The Polyphonic Spree – review

For the most accurate gauge yet of the global economic downturn, economists should study the Polyphonic Spree Manpower Index. Only 15 members take the stage tonight, reduced 46% from their boom-time peak. The novelty of a huge, cripplingly-expensive-to-tour choir of robe-clad sun worshippers wore off around 2007's The Fragile Army album, but now they have another shtick. The Dallas collective often mistaken for a cult in thrall to their charismatic, ever-joyous leader, Tim DeLaughter, has spotted its perfect niche: performing cult musicals for fancy-dress party crowds.

For Halloween, clad in blood-red robes and black boas, they recreate (most of) the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, DeLaughter relishing the role of Frank-N-Furter in a panto vampire cape. His Tim Curry impression is fan-faithful, and his band's silken take on these pouting pastiches of boogie-woogie rock'n'roll transcends the tribute act, thanks to their sawing cellos, blaring horns and maniacal harpist. Yet an am-dram air pervades, even when The Time Warp finds the entire stage pelvic-thrusting blasts of steam and confetti.

Rocky dispatched, a large red ribbon is stretched across the stage, from the centre of which DeLaughter cuts a heart to unveil the white-clad Spree of old. Even in this second set of their own material, they include a hefty chunk of the Who's Tommy, suggesting they might finish with a run through side two of Abbey Road. But the closing half-hour finally reaches event status: glitter cannons are set to semi-automatic, the ecstatic choral punch of Section 8 (Soldier Girl) and Section 9 (Light & Day/Reach for the Sun) is dampened little by the reduction of the choir to four. DeLaughter is a rousing presence, riding the crescendos and using a frozen pause in their Andrew Lloyd Webberian, prog-epic Section 19 (When the Fool Becomes a King) to wander the stage, playing everyone's instruments like a shaman who has stopped time. His unbridled positivity neutralises all traces of cheese – so expect them back on Valentine's Day, doing Mamma Mia!.

What have you been to see lately? Tell us about it on Twitter using #GdnReview