The Grand Theatre, Leeds – until 20th October 2018
Reviewed by Sally Richmond
5*****
Cilla the Musical is a charming tribute to the life and work of the legendary Cilla Black.
Jeff Pope, who created the recently televised mini-series staring Sheridan Smith, has now brought Cilla’s uplifting and heart-warming quest for stardom to the stage. The question one may ask is how does it compare to the popular TV show – and the simple answer is that it compares very well! Pope has produced a feel-good, sentimental jukebox show around those songs that were hits of the time and told Cilla’s story through them. Classics such as the amazing Gershwin number Summertime, the high-energy Dancing in the Streets – all taken from the collections of other musicians appear here along with the iconic Beatles, the Mamas and the Papas (California Dreaming), Gerry and the Pacemakers (I Like It) and of course Cilla’s own hits.
Cilla the Musical tells the rags-to-riches tale of the life of ‘our Cilla’ – Cilla Black (born Priscilla White), a regular teenage girl from Liverpool who became a household name and a bright, shining star on both the stage and television. From a young office typist to a 1960s sensational singer managed by Brian Epstein, Cilla’s celebrity journey starts to grow and unfold along with her romance with Bobby Willis, who later became her husband.
Kara Lily Hayworth has been perfectly cast as Cilla and gives a flawless performance from start to finish. Anyone Who Had a Heart, sung at the end of act one, was a standout moment (for all the right reasons), a highlight of the whole show and one that sent those magic tingles down the spine.
Alexander Patmore’s portrayal as Cilla’s husband Bobby Willis is also faultless, his devoted nature highlighting why the couple were an indestructible partnership right to the end. Andrew Lancel, who plays Brian Epstein, brings some sensitive and moving moments to the show as he struggles with his own life issues, whilst trying to deal with Cilla’s.
Scott Alder’s musical score is packed with hits from the period and the atmosphere of Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club, The London Palladium and Abbey Road recording studio are all brought to life by a cast of extremely talented musicians and singers. The stage bursts with energetic musical arrangements but Hayworth’s voice steals the show every time she sings with her amazing voice.
Gary McCann’s simple but extremely effective sets, which together with Nick Riching’s lighting design, help to bring the special places of where Cilla’s career evolved alive and Leeds very own special place – The Grand Theatre – is the perfect venue to host such a fabulous, nostalgic and magical musical biography.
By the end number the audience had taken to their feet to give a standing ovation and were dancing in the aisles to the sound of the beat of the swinging sixties. Cilla the Musical is not just for Cilla fans but for anyone who wants to enjoy an outstanding evening of musical theatre, executed by first class performers.