Walking through the doors of the London Palladium for the big 40th anniversary of That’ll Be The Day felt like stepping straight into a time machine! The place was buzzing, packed with loyal fans who couldn’t wait to welcome back their favourite jukebox show.

The applause was thunderous, everyone was ready for an enjoyable night. The show served a feast of nostalgia and live fun, surrounding us in four decades of musical memories that had everyone grinning from ear to ear.

That’ll Be The Day has been winning the hearts of British audiences since 1986. Created and presented by Trevor Payne, it’s officially the UK’s longest-running touring theatre show. Payne, who’s is 80 this year, announced this as his farewell tour.

The magic kicked in with a parade of tunes from the ‘50s to the ‘80s, every one of which was performed with enthusiasm and showbiz sparkle. When the band launched into Buddy Holly classics, the audience were singing along. The setlist threw in snippets of old-school adverts and comedy sketches, complete with seaside postcard humour, which was a lovely nod to the show’s roots in holiday camps and coastal theatres. Celebrities such as Hank Marvin and Cliff Richards appeared on the screen at the rear to congratulate Trevor and the show.

One of the absolute highlights was when Tom Ball, from Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent hit the stage. His rendition of Jackie Wilson’s Higher and Higher was nothing short of spectacular. Then he joined in for the charity single, Make A Wish Come True, and you could tell a lot of the audience were genuinely moved.

The cast were superb. Trevor Payne and Gary Anderson had a laugh together, cracking cheesy jokes and guiding us through the golden ages of music. Vocalists Julia Greenham and Nikki Renee Hechavarria channelled the spirit of music legends like Lulu, The Beatles, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Tom Jones. Everyone joined in, swaying to The Monkees’ “Sleepy Jean”.

The band kept the energy levels high, and the retro videos flashing behind them really pulled us into four decades of music history.

But it’s not just about the music, That’ll Be The Day has made a real impact away from the stage. After the shows, a bucket collection has raised more than £1 million for Make A Wish UK, helping to make dreams come true for loads of kids. That generous spirit added an extra layer of warmth to a night already packed with good vibes.

That’ll be the day goes on tour, for tickets and information please see link below.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner