Edinburgh Playhouse – Tuesday 19th September 2017. Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan
5*****
The evening begins with the young Cilla singing in her bedroom like all teenagers like to do. The part being played by the very talented Kara Lily Hayworth, who provides the true reflection of Cilla’s Liverpudlian roots.
The story of Cilla of late teenage years continue as she meets with friends in the local dance hall and takes to the stage for the occasional appearance not truly believing that her voice is star quality. In an era when the music industry was experiencing the rise of the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla was fortunate to mingle in the circles of the upcoming stars. Coming from a traditional northern family Cilla was brought up by hard working parents who wanted the best for her. Her mother believing that working in an office was the perfect future for her as a stable job. Cilla was given the opportunity to audition for Brian Epstein and this was a disaster
After her backing group for the audition the Beatles played in the wrong key and this knocked her confidence. Fortunately for the British public her friends and more importantly Bobby Willis who had been trying to woo Cilla for a while encouraged her to take a payed slot in one of the local dance halls with the Big Three as her backing group. The Blue Angel Jazz club would be the launching pad for Cilla has Epstein seen her singing confidently and at ease and made a point of speaking to her parents and signing her to his record company Parlophone.
The rest you could say was history after a disappointing first record her single Anyone who had a Heart and You’re My World put Cilla’s name in lights. Her background and roots kept her in touch with the public and she was taken into everyone’s hearts.
Bobby Willis played by Carl Au, another amazing talent, stood by Cilla’s seat as she toured and hit the big time. After what Cilla felt was a disaster in New York on the Ed Sullivan Show Bobby and Cilla went their separate ways for a while, with Cilla believing that she was the star and Bobby should not even be thinking of signing his own record deal with Epstein, a position Bobby had already turned down. Cilla soon realised how much she missed Bobby and their love story was rekindled and they went on to spent many happy years together and Cilla always remained her bubbly positive self throughout her career.
The evening was amazing with pine-tingling performances from Kara who portrayed the life of Cilla so expertly and helped the audience remembered the late star with laughter and joy, just as Cilla would have wanted. A northern lass who was taken to the hearts of many regardless of age or background, and a legacy who will be remembered as one of the great voices to come out of Liverpool on par with all the other greats. A first class evening that should be enjoyed by everyone.