Hull New Theatre – until 3rd February 2018. Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
5*****
From the moment the curtain went up I was hooked – Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends The Musical had me hooting with laughter in seconds. This is a show full of life and love and it fairly sizzles along!
The story revolves around a slimming club in Headingley (Leeds) and its various members and their lives as they attempt to lose weight through diet and exercise. Kelly (Jodie Prenger) is drawn into the mix in an attempt to get into her dream wedding dress – the only one she will consider. Kay Mellor has an acute eye for the little things in life and her dialogue is accurate and true to life, who else would have Kelly tell us she loves her husband to be because he licks the germs off her chips when they fall on the floor!
I, and the rest of the packed New Theatre, quickly recognized ourselves or our friends in the characters on the stage, this is how life is in all its successes and failures. The characters felt real and importantly we laughed with them and not at them, Kay Mellor made us care for them. This is a story that is never forced and the music and songs compliment and add to the story, never feeling contrived or added for effect. Nick Lloyd Webber’s music beautifully captures the emotions and mood of the characters.
The cast is superb from start to finish their energy and zest carrying us through with them.
Jodie Prenger as Kelly is outstanding as she had us laughing and practically sobbing when things went wrong. A stand out for me was her wonderful rendition of the song “Beautiful” – haven’t we all wanted to feel beautiful for just one day.
Sam Bailey was an excellent Betty, so unsure of herself and self-effacing, she really does have a beautiful voice. Kevin Kennedy’s Fergus had just the right amount of gruffness and pathos. Rachel Wooding as Kelly’s sister oozed with sibling rivalry at one moment and sisterly love at the next. Natasha Hamilton was a suitably scheming and false Julia Fleshman, appearing so unreal and “plastic” next to the rest of the cast.
Grab yourself a ticket for this outstanding show, which will make you laugh out loud and empathise with the characters, but most importantly of all it will remind you to love who you are.