When you turn up to a jukebox musical based on a series of compilation albums made famous in the 80s, with a guest appearance from ‘So Macho’ singer and Simon Cowell’s best bud, Sinitta, you know exactly what kind of evening awaits you. This isn’t Ibsen.
However, that’s not a bad thing. This show offers the audience – largely made up of 50-something year old women – a chance to let their hair down, sing along to the sounds of their youth, and hopefully, enjoy a few laughs.
And, for the most part, it delivers. While there were a few minor first-night stumbles, these hiccups did little to distract from the overall enjoyment. A few actors ran over each other’s lines, and there were moments when props didn’t quite cooperate—policeman’s hats fell, videos toppled from shelves—but none of these were catastrophic, and they didn’t take away from what was an genuinely amusing script.
Like many of these shows, the website and programme tell you very little about the plot—mainly because there isn’t much of one—but for those curious, Now That’s What I Call A Musical is all about two friends, Gemma and April, who, in late 80s Birmingham, are about to leave school and go their separate ways. One wants to be a nurse, the other a famous Hollywood actress. But, either way, they promise to never lose touch. When there’s a school reunion 20 years later, things haven’t quite gone as planned…
In a growing line of jukebox musicals, Now That’s What I Call A Musical joins the ranks of other retro-inspired shows like I Should Be So Lucky (the Stock Aitken Waterman musical, which also starred Melissa Jacques and toured Sheffield earlier this year) and Greatest Days, which features the best of Take That’s back catalogue. The format is familiar: beloved songs stitched together by a light, feel-good storyline. And though the plot is secondary, it doesn’t matter because the fun and nostalgia of the music carry the evening.
Despite being billed as a double headliner for Nina Wadia and Melissa Jacques (both of whom are excellent, by the way), it’s the younger cast that really dominates stage time in the first half of the show. Nikita Johal and Maia Hawkins both give strong vocal performances, with Maia’s voice, in particular, standing out in the early numbers.
The two Tims, played by Chris Grahamson (as the older Tim) and Kieran Cooper (as his younger counterpart), offer standout comedic performances. Grahamson’s portrayal of a cheating husband is full of exaggerated villainy, earning him boos from the audience, much like a pantomime baddie. He revels in the role, making the most of every despicable moment. Cooper, as the younger Tim, brings a similar energy—his chemistry with Gemma during their first meeting is a comedic highlight, drawing genuine laughs from the audience.
The supporting male roles of Frank (Gemma’s brother) also deserve mention. Shakil Hussain, as the older Frank, flexes his comedic skills, while Luke Latchman, who plays the younger version, adds quirky charm reminiscent of George McFly from the stage version of Back to the Future. His portrayal of a man with a secret crush on April is both funny and endearing.
Of course, the real star of the show is the music. Now That’s What I Call A Musical packs in an impressive selection of 80s hits, ranging from Blondie’s Heart of Glass to Soft Cell’s Tainted Love. Standout numbers include the mashup of What a Feeling and Ride on Time and Video Killed The Radio Star, amusingly costumed and choreographed by Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood.
In conclusion, while Now That’s What I Call A Musical had a few rough edges on its opening night, they are easily forgiven given the joy and energy the production brings. It’s a light-hearted, fun-filled evening that delivers exactly what the audience came for: great songs, plenty of laughs, and a healthy dose of 80s nostalgia. If you’re looking for a show that’s less about depth and more about good old-fashioned entertainment, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Now That’s What I Call A Musical runs at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre until Saturday 14th September with tickets available here.
