If you are looking for a feel-good night out at the Theatre then look no further than Club Tropicana, starring the X-Factor singer Joe McElderry, pictured below as Garry. The buzz as everyone left the Theatre spoke volumes, one lady commented that it was “a cheesy great night out” and I completely agree with her.
The predictable storyline of boy (Cullen Chug Jones) as Olly who meets girl (Karina Hind), Lorraine. The girl then leaves the boy at the altar, and while both separately on holiday in Spain with their friend’s girl reunites with the boy during a blind date themed game at the same hotel surprisingly named Club Tropicana.
The plot is uncomplicated and has been well used time and again in many other productions. However, non of this actually affects the enjoyment of seeing this musical. Completed with a predictable happy ending, which leaves no loose ends. It’s a simple but effective all-around brilliantly entertaining production.
The star of the show for me was Consuela (Kate Robbins) the mixture of humour, singing and dodgy Spanish accent are hilarious. Although do watch out for her signs! They are the two-finger salute which soon takes on as a catchphrase throughout the performance with the rest of the cast adopting it too. With so many costume changes and different guises, her performance steals the show.
Kate Robbins as Consuela centre stage in the photo above.
I was reminded as she walks around the stage bow-legged removing her knickers from her bottom regularly, from her days when she played Babs in the popular Victoria Wood comedy series Dinnerladies.
The stage design resembles the image of a Spanish package holiday hotel set in the 1980s. Set and costume designer Diego Pitarch eye for detail in this musical is superb. Complete with every 80’s style pink and spearmint hotel decor and right down to the suitcases used by the cast at the airport that I recognised from the era too.
Robbins on the right in the photo below wearing one the fabulous costumes created for her role. It’s very glitzy without being over the top.
Directors Samuel Holmes and Nick Winston have bought together a great cast. Who all appear to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and those dynamics on stage come across to the audience. They have certainly directed a musical befitting of the West End, next stop The Vaudeville perhaps!
The end of the night’s performance is an absolute touch of genius. After the usual applause, the audience is treated to a fantastic sing-along of popular 80’s songs from Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Girls just wanna fun by Cyndi Lauper to Culture Clubs Church of the Poison Mind led by the very musically talented McElderry. With what appeared to me the entire theatre rising to their feet and joining in. It’s one of the best feel-good sing-along musicals I have ever seen.
Five Stars.
Performing at
Mayflower Theatre
22-24 Commercial Street
Southampton
SO15 1GE.
Book online mayflower.org.uk
Tel 02380 711811
Monday 22nd-Saturday 27th July 2019.
For a full cast list and tour dates and up to date tour news please check out the links below.
Theatre, Films and Art reviews 