A top quality, lively and feel-good production with excellent performances from a highly talented cast. Rating
Excellent!
Firstly, you don’t have to be a fan of Take That to enjoy The Band, though if you are, you are sure to love it! Much of the group’s back catalogue is presented here, and the music performances in this amateur production from STOS Theatre Company are all strong and entertaining.
The story is straightforward – a group of five 16-year-old schoolfriends are superfans of a boyband. When a tragedy happens on the way home from a concert, they drift apart. 25 years later, they come together for a reunion concert and rediscover what brought them together in the first place.
The eponymous boyband is Marcus Kamsika, James Hadabora, Andrew Stanley, Declan Saxton and Gabriel Lima. Choreographer Katie Granger has devised perfect moves for a ’90s boyband, which they all execute with style. They have obviously been well rehearsed by MD Dominic Ridler, as their vocals and harmonies are tight and strong. Each of them leads the vocals in different songs, and all of them are very strong singers. I was surprised to learn that this is the stage debut for some of them. They interact seamlessly with the girls to move the story forward, becoming part of their fantasies.
Shelby Foster, Charlotte Waxman, Ruthie Lee, Ellie Hudson and Lucy Mulvihill perfectly capture the excitement and high spirits of a group of 16-year-old schoolgirls. Their individual characters are clear, and each one plays her role exceptionally well, and they are totally believable as great friends with a shared infatuation. Their singing is also excellent, particularly when they take over a bus journey singing and dancing to ‘Relight My Fire’.
The adult girls are played by Gina Holmes, Louise Walker, Kate Parkin and Suzanne Peach. Again, each actor plays her role superbly. The Act One finale, where the four of them reconnect to sing ‘Shine’ with the Band and the ensemble, is full of energy with super choreography executed brilliantly. The adults are convincing as older versions of the younger actors, and the scene where they discuss what has happened to them in the past 25 years is both funny and moving. The story arc of one of the girls, Rachel, is central to the second half as she finally makes a decision about her long-standing partner, Jeff (a spot-on performance from Andy Green). This brings the show to an emotional conclusion, which is very moving.
The costumes are perfect for this production. The boyband outfits are detailed and evocative of Take That, from denim to mock military to all white to brightly coloured jackets. Each of the girls wears the same shade as their older selves, which is a clever idea, creating a visual link between the characters.
I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned a show programme in a review before, but this one is genius. It is presented as a teen magazine with fun facts about the boyband, a letters page, song lyrics, a story strip, and even a pull-out poster in the centre. A great concept from Vivien Siberry-Scott, which helps create the 1990s atmosphere in the theatre.
It’s to director Jill Beckett‘s credit that the narrative always remains on the right side of poignancy and never strays into cheesiness. The standard of acting she has achieved with her cast is universally top drawer. There are no weak links here, and it’s hard to single out anyone: they are all excellent in their roles. Having reviewed previous STOS shows, I am once again hugely impressed that this level of quality comes from an amateur theatre company. This is on a par with any professional production on the Lyceum stage.
Book by Tim Firth with the music of Take That
Directed by Jill Beckett (Assisted by Keeley Kilby)
Choreographed by Katie Granger
Musical Direction by Dominic Ridler
Originally produced by David Pugh, Dafydd Rogers and Take That
The Band plays at The Lyceum until Saturday 15 November
