Now That's What I Call A Musical

Pippa Evans

ROYO, Universal Music UK, SONY Music Entertainment and Mighty Village

Opera House, Manchester

January 28-February 1, 2025; 2hrs 30mins

(Also Liverpool Empire, March 4-8; York Grand Opera House March 25-29)

Now, that's what they call a musical... (L-R) Emily Barnett-Salter, Nikita Johal, Matthew Mori, Martha Pothen, Molly Cheesley, Lauren Hendricks and Poppy Tierney. All pics: Pamela Raith

NOW That's What I Call Music - the regular compilations of pop hits that started when LPs were still THE thing - is 40 years old, and to celebrate the once massively-popular concept, here's a show that recycles the idea once again, but as a live show. There's something quite meta about that...

The somewhat slight story tells of best friends Gemma and April, which it follows from idealistic teenage years to the realism of adulthood. Can their friendship survive?

While much of the first act feels rather disjointed, flat and even childish, with the songs not doing much to reflect or advance the plot, thankfully things pick up. A lot. By the end we've had a laugh, we've empathised with the two female leads, and we've loved remembering the feelgood fun of all that music.

Nikita Johal plays the younger Gemma, Maia Hawkins the younger April - both to good effect, the latter with a touching rendition of Everybody Wants To Rule the World. Johal joins Chris Grahamson (played well, and with humour, as her creepy partner Tim) and the cast in one of the best numbers of the show, What A Feeling, when song and dance conjoin.

This is what we were hoping for from Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, who is both director and choreographer.

Though there are times when the material isn't top notch, the cast can't be faulted. The ensemble pieces are strong and each of the leads - notably Nina Wadia as the older Gemma and Sam Bailey as April - come into their own as the play proceeds. And let's not forget the small and very sparkly cameo appearance of one-time pop princess, Sonia.

In many ways this is less of a musical than a jukebox show - an excuse to string together some golden oldies for the oldies, me included.

But let's not be too precious. Enjoying a good night out with live theatre is a tonic for all of us.

Info and tickets here