Follow the tumultuous friendship of Gemma and April
More than just a tribute to the shiny pop hits of the eighties, NOW That’s What I Call A Musical is an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of enduring friendship, writes Melina Block.
It seems that there is much to be gloomy about these days. The bleak state of global politics weighs heavy, economic uncertainty looms over us all; it can often seem like there is nothing worth celebrating. At times like these, it is unsurprising that many people turn to the past for a bit of a pick-me-up. Enter: NOW That’s What I Call A Musical – a glitzy musical comedy featuring throwback eighties songs and revelling in the neon-coloured campiness of musical theatre, under the direction of Craig Revel Horwood.
This colourful show follows the tumultuous friendship of Gemma (Nina Wadia) and April (Sam Bailey). Switching between their teenage years and a school reunion two decades later, we are given front row seats to their career highlights and lowlights, relationship break-ups and make-ups and, of course, the glitzy soundtrack and dance moves accompanying it all. Their friendship remains at the core of the show, adding genuine depth and heart to the cheesy fun.
As youthful dreams get dashed and the naivety of young love is thrust into the harsh reality of adulthood, the importance of true friendship is made clear. With some actually quite touching moments and some actually quite hilarious musical numbers, NOW That’s What I Call A Musical manages to teeter on the edge of the serious while remaining firmly rooted in the silly.
So, if modern woes are getting to you, then perhaps a trip back to the eighties could be the remedy. NOW That’s What I Call A Musical is no deep meditation on the complexities of the human experience, but that’s why it’s so endearing – and a lot more thoughtful than you might first think.
