Take That musical shines

Never Forget

Hall for Cornwall

Review by Jo Wood

IN A veritable disco ball of dancing, singing and '90s lycra, Never Forget, the musical, landed in Truro on Tuesday night.

Their 100th performance on tour marked their first night in Cornwall, for a run of just under a week. And rock the Hall for Cornwall they did.

Commonly mistaken as a story depicting the rise of the 'actual' Take That, this satirical nod in the direction to their music is actually a story of the coming together of a Take That tribute band – formed by slapstick misfits and unlikelies.

The biggest bag for the casting director was surely that of former Brookside star Philip Olivier, playing ex-stripper and intellectually challenged Dirty Harry. Olivier's boyish good looks and marvellously toned body helped him strip and boogie his way through an obvious but unimpeding inability to sing as well as the rest of the company.

Co-stars Adam C Booth, Tom Bradley and Scott Garnham all executed an essentially clichéd plotline with beautiful comedic timing and riveting enthusiasm, supporting less strong leads Mark Wiltshire and understudy Lindsey Tierney. Although at times this leading duo were un-extraordinary, there was clearly so much chemistry between the rest of the company the performance was none-the-less enjoyable.

A simple split screen rotating set took us from bar to dance studio to strip joint – one for the plenty of men in the audience who'd clearly been dragged along by partners and wives. And then, of course, there's the rain shower. I was privileged enough to see the opening night of this show in London, so was a little disappointed that the jaw-dropping spectacle of the words Never Forget falling from the top of the stage in rain droplets never happened. I'd go so far as to say that without that, the rain didn't work.

The droplets of disappointment dissipate quickly however, when the company twists, turns and thrusts its way through hit after hit of a beautifully choreographed and uplifting serving of disco. To a standing ovation, the final medley had the audience boogying in the aisles, and clapping 'till our hands hurt. Never Forget is truly one you'll never forget.

The musical runs at the Hall for Cornwall until Saturday. To read Jo's blog of meeting the cast go to www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/joblogs