Reviewed at The Lyceum, Sheffield
By Michelle Rawlins
I assume Craig Revel Horwood had a good old time directing this jukebox musical, with its endless eighties pop hits, sparkly outfits and energetic choreography.
The show, which burst onto stage at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, certainly went down a storm with the audience. They cheered, sang, tapped their toes, and when Sinitta, yes ‘So Macho’ Sinitta, gave them the nod, danced their hearts out.
To the backdrop of every classic eighties and early nineties hit you can think of, including Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Relax, two best friends navigate life, and all the ups and downs that come with it.
The simple enough storyline, which has its poignant moments, highlights what happens when hopes are dashed and dreams are burst. And it’s all played out to over 20 classic hits that anyone of a certain age will recall being chosen for the Now That’s What I Call music compilations.
Revel Horwood created the show to celebrate 40 years of the albums. The set is enveloped by ginormous, grey, cassette tapes. And, in the typical glitzy, camp style he is known for, the Strictly judge and costume team went full throttle. Think metallic, shiny outfits for Video Killed The Radio Star, and true retro numbers for Hey Mickey. Who doesn’t remember making up dances to those smash hits when they were kids?
Based on the book by comedian Pippa Evans, there’s a double timeline throughout. Younger teenage Gemma and April, are ever-present, sharing their dreams. And the script simultaneously moves to a school reunion, held in a Brummie local pub, The Palace, twenty years later. To a chorus of Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves, and Tainted Love, comes a familiar bittersweet story of damaged friendships, love and loss.
Younger Gemma, Nikita Johal, and April, Maia Hawkins, who only graduated last year, make for an impressive duo. The chemistry between the two shines through, and their drunken and silly, coming of age antics will feel all too familiar.
Making a spectacular entrance, as older April is familiar theatre star, Melissa Jacques (I Should Be So Lucky, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), and all too soon, the girls’ dreams are looking a little tarnished and battered. Eastender, Nina Wadia, plays older Gemma. She perfectly portrays a downtrodden wife who has been promised the earth by her charmer, husband, Tim, (who has an uncanny look of Martin Kemp) but who has ultimately been left with a broken heart. A moment of genius is using Spandau Ballet’s Gold to depict his money-obsessive ways.
The cast list indicates special appearances will include Carol Decker, Sonia, and Jay Osmond. For the opening night in Yorkshire, Sheffield were audibly delighted when Sinitta, under a fanfare of palm leaves, (a nod to her X Factor appearance), burst onto stage in white and gem-lined jumpsuit, ready to advise Gemma on how to get a grip of her life.
Although the audience lapped up the songs, transporting them back to their own teenage years, the script did feel a little too forced at times. There’s more one-liner cliches and dodgy jokes than you can shake a stick at, but I suspect this is deliberate, and all designed to be very tongue-in-cheek.
Technically, there was the odd glitch. Occasionally, it felt like the stage was too small for the high-energy dances, and there were a couple of costume mishaps, but each time the actors skilfully rescued the situation, adding to the comedy of the moment.
All that said, when the sing-along- come-dance-along began, there wasn’t a single person left in their seat. And the final applause went on for several minutes. So, if you are looking to reminisce about a misspent youth and have a giggle at your younger self, then this fun-filled, cheesy show, that doesn’t take itself too seriously, is probably right up your street.
Showing until September 14, then touring
Tickets here
Pics by Pamela Raith