NOW That’s What I Call A Musical

Different generations always think they have had the best time when it comes to music. So, it’s lovely when young un’s can link up with the oldies and enjoy a roaring night out.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood does a fabulous job as director and choreographer of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical tour, currently at The King’s Theatre in Glasgow.

It’s a blast back to the 80’s and the days of Cyndi Lauper and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”. What a hoot the show is!

And to add a bit of glitz and glamour, musical icon Sonia, the Liverpudlian who became a pop star at 17 years old and went on to win a number one with “You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You”, makes a guest appearance.

With a strong cast, led by ex-Eastender Nina Wadia (Gemma) and X Factor star Sam Bailey (April), the show is buzzing with colour, song and a snazzy set.

It’s 2009 in Birmingham and school reunion time for Gemma and her brother Frank (younger role played by Luke Latchman and older by Shakil Hussain) and the musical takes the audience back to the 80’s and their carefree school days.

Nikita Johal (young Gemma) and making her professional debut with ease, Maia Hawkins (young April) clearly enjoy playing the schoolgirls and as the story unravels, the two jump in and out with the older actors slickly, making it an easy tale to follow.

Basically, it’s all about hopes and dreams and actual reality, Gemma wants to be a nurse and have six children, and April is lured by the bright lights of Hollywood. Through the school reunion, the audience sees the ups and downs and what actually happens.

It’s all inter-sprinkled with sugar coated 80’s hits, like “Video Killed A Radio Star”, “Hey Mickey”, “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves” and Scottish legend “I’m Gonna Be” (500 miles).

As the story by Pippa Evans, develops, smaller characters of Gemma’s mum (Poppy Tierney) and dad (Christopher Glover), older and jaded teacher, MS Dorian (Lauren Hendricks) her teen ‘love’ interest Barney (Callum Tempest),  April’s secret crush Steve (younger played by Matthew Mori and older by Phil Sealey), Gemma’s husband Tim (Kieran Cooper as younger Tim) and Chris Grahamson (older Tim) appear and the cast gels together nicely.

The ensemble is made up of Emily Barnett-Salter, Molly Cheesley, Stefanos Petri, Martha Pothen, with Lizzy Ives as offstage swing/assistant dance captain and Blake Tuke, the resident director/offstage swing.

Mark Crossland deserves a huge bow for running the musical section and the whole show has a good feel factor about it.

NOW That’s What I Call A Musical is on at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow until Saturday 22^nd February with nightly performances at 7:30pm and a matinee at 2:30pm on the 22^nd. The show then moves to the Edinburgh Playhouse from 25^th February to 1^st March before heading down to the Liverpool Empire from 4^th to 8^th March. It will be at The Alexandra Birmingham from 11^th to 15^th March and then at the Grand Opera House York from 18^th to 22^nd March before heading south to the New Theatre Oxford from 25^th to 29^th March. Then in April it will be performing at The Bristol Hippodrome from 1^st to 5^th April before wrapping up the tour at the New Wimbledon Theatre from 8^th to 12^th April 2025. For more information and ticket availability, please visit: www.atgtickets.com.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.

Photographs courtesy of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical