Outlines of hearts frame the stage setting the scene for the rocky path of love that follows. Family and friends assemble to get ready for the wedding of Ella (Lucie-Mae Sumner) and Nathan Billy Roberts).
The first company number prepares you for the fast, furious, fantastical scenario that unfolds. It is all very pink, plucky, passionate and engaging. Then, at the altar, it goes horribly wrong—Ella is jilted! Mother (Melissa Jacques), Nana (Jemma Churchill), Bonnie (Kyla Carter), Michael (Scott Paige) and Britney (Jessica Daley) decide to go with Ella on her honeymoon to give her support. They all go to Turkey on the 69 flight. The wonderful Spencer (Jamie Chapman) greets them at reception, and their holiday adventure begins.
Ella consults with her idol, Kylie Minogue, who is actually seen on a large mirror acting as herself. While the story centres on romance, the love and support of family and friends, the award-winning writer Debbie Isitt may have stretched plausibility a little too far by making the hero, Nathan, base his big decision on the word of his dementia-stricken granddad. However, he decides he must pursue his love and goes to Turkey with his best man, Ash (Giovanni Spano); even Ella’s dad, Big Mike (Gary Davis), turns up because, as he said, he had, “run out of food!”
There are complications with a developing attraction between Ella and hotel employee Nadeen (Matthew Croke); also, jealous past schoolmate Olivia (Anne Unwin) tries to sour events. Lots of subplots, pyrotechnics, smoke, haze, confetti plus twists and turns along the way keep you on your toes.
The story is peppered with numerous humorous remarks initiating laugh-out-loud moments, helping you connect with the characters. Some text, however, is lost due to indistinct delivery. The set (Tom Rodgers) is greatly enhanced by a beach scene with a gently lapping tide projected (Andrzei Goulding) onto the rear screen. This backdrop has a very soothing effect in contrast to the animated activity of the very high-energy, verbal, gyrating cast. This goes in the last scene before the interval, in a nightclub, where mad chaos takes over—mind it does say it’s a bit “South Shields”.
All credit to the Ambassador Theatre Group for producing this world première of the Stock Aitken Waterman musical. This is no mean achievement with a cast of 25, excluding Kylie, 15 understudies, 43 plus on the creative and production team and a live band of seven musicians brilliantly playing various instruments—wow. The ‘storyline’ is really superfluous to the main purpose, the songs and music, which are excellently performed by a closely knit, talented cast, along with some striking choreography (Jason Gilkison).
Featuring the music from Kylie, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Bananarama and more, it hits the spot with a lot. Many song titles apply to this production, “Step back In Time”, “You Spin Me Round”, as the show often does, and “Especially For You”, for all '80s fans, Two overheard comments rather sum up the production: “Benidorm meets Mama Mia” and “Well we had a bloody good singalong and a bit of a bop, so good night eh?” The standing ovation confirms this, as it ends with a brilliant company melody of many favourites getting the packed audience standing dancing and singing along.
So it's “Never Too Late” to enjoy this musical as its runs all week in Sunderland and I was so lucky to enjoy it, coming away singing the songs. All in all, a very camp, fun night out.