Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Review – Bradford Alhambra Theatre
By Steve Crabtree, October 2024
Here’s a short excerpt taken from ‘Steve’s list of favourite things’:
- Music: Tick.
- The 80s: Tick.
- The Alhambra: Tick.
- A Craig Revel-Horwood musical: No tick.
When I heard that the latest touring jukebox musical was a production after the compilation album that took the 80s by storm, I just knew that Now That’s What I Call a Musical was one I needed to see. A huge 80s fan/freak (delete as appropriate) I was excited to be part of the opening night in Bradford as it visited West Yorkshire for a few days.
But I was hit with the news that the musical is a Craig Revel-Horwood creation. And, since witnessing the debacle of his now-defunct Son Of A Preacher Man, where he took Dusty Springfields incredible back catalogue and ragged out the worst musical I’ve ever seen, I’ve tried to avoid anything on stage that he’s been involved in.
But, I have to say this time around things were very different, even if I removed my 80s tinted spectacles. I really enjoyed the two-and-a-half hours of fun that Now That’s What I Call a Musical gave us, and I could happily watch it again.
“Flashbacks”
Things begin in The Palace, a local pub in Birmingham where the Class of ’89 are having a 20th year reunion. We meet various characters, all displaying various visual levels of success and happiness, or lack of, and the 2009 Gemma is there with her brother Frank.
Gemma’s husband is there for a short while, but has to make his exit – not before making it clear he’s not the nicest of chaps.
The main characters of Now That’s What I Call a Musical are the younger and older versions of April and Gemma. Flashbacks help set the scene for the tale of the two best friends who drifted apart after following their very separate dreams. Young Gemma (Nikita Johal) wanted to be a nurse, with Young April (Maia Hawkins) heading for America to seek fame and fortune.
They haven’t seen or heard from each other for 20 years. So, would April turn up to the reunion?
“Hit all the notes and make you laugh”
The girls elder selves are played by Nina Wadia (Gemma) and Melissa Jacques (April). Both sets of friends were very well portrayed, likeable, could hit all the notes and make you laugh. Jacques, who I remember seeing in I Should Be So Lucky The Musical especially impressed with her vocals.
The story is a manufactured affair around this fantastic array of songs that wouldn’t be out of place on any Greatest Hits of the 80s compilation.
This means that the plotline is a little flimsy at times, and you always knew what’s coming next. In fact, my friend and I had worked out the ending before the interval. But there was just enough flow and structure to the story to make sure it comes out with some credit.
Where this musical wins you over, is the easy-entertainment factor it brings. It’s a show packed with that, and a lot of funny moments…you can’t help but enjoy it.
“A comedy blinder”
Away from our lead characters, Callum Tempest played a comedy blinder as Barney, and a topless dancing Phil Sealey as Steve the video shop owner brought the biggest laugh of the night.
Almost stealing the entire show, we all roared at this unexpected piece of theatre..! And on that topic, I have to give credit to the casting of a range of body shapes. It made a change from many of the more serious musicals handing out roles to the more athletic physique.
The funnies were very funny, and always timed to perfection. The lighting and scenery were really good as well. We switched from pub to kitchen, to video store and to bedroom. And back again, all quite seamlessly. To my delight, it was all framed by huge cassette tapes. Simple, but effective.
Can I just mention here that video rental store ‘Planet Of The Tapes’ should have been on every high street in the UK back in the day!
“Something special”
The audience was mainly made up of people who were in their element of youth 40 years ago when much of this music was around. Let’s not forget, back in the 80s, we had just one music chart. You had to buy records to listen to them, so bands and artists had to have talent to release a single. The songwriters had to create something special too.
And that’s why the soundtrack was so good this evening. Songs such as ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ and ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ made the mixtape in tonight’s show. They were executed really well. Spandau Ballet’s ‘Gold’ opening the second act, probably not as much so. But, The Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ had a nice recurrence throughout the show, and ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ by Cyndi Lauper fit in nicely with the theme of the show.
“Cheesy but fantastic”
Then, of course, an almost Teen-Angel-esque cameo from Jay Osmond of The Osmonds delighted the Bradford crowd when he appeared in Act Two. Here to give advice to Gemma in a dream, he performed ‘Crazy Horses’ and did a stellar job. It was cheesy but fantastic. Star quality, fitting in well with the show. We also found out we had quite a few fans of The Osmonds in the building when he appeared, all there to catch a glimpse of their hero!
As we headed towards the end of the show, the predictable ending came. Albeit with one or two twists that you might not see coming. And, shortly after a rendition of ‘Relight My Fire’, we were all on our feet dancing to the final medley that led to the curtain coming down.
What a good night, and what a fun musical. Don’t expect to have to think too hard when you come to see Now That’s What I Call a Musical. It’s a fun, bright and easy musical – and that’s all you need. You’ll enjoy it, and leave the Alhambra in a great mood. Just as my friend and I, and the rest of tonight’s audience did.
Now That’s What I Call a Musical runs at The Alhambra, Bradford until 19th October
