OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL 21ST MAY 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
4****
If you want to turn back time and celebrate Cher’s six-decade-long career of being the Goddess of pop, The Cher Show is for you. The musical runs chronologically with three talented musical stars conveying Cher at different stages of her life and career. These three ladies with their striking outfits, spectacular songs and glamour, raised the roof at the Opera House on Tuesday evening.
The musical portrays the rise to fame of a shy 16 year old, then known as Cherilyn Sarkisian. As the audience, you witness her relationship with her mum, Georgia and Sonny, their marriage breakdown, further relationships, the pressure of fame and her constantly re-inventing herself. The show features some 35 hits throughout including Believe, Strong Enough, I Got You Babe, The Shoop Shoop Song, Turn Back Time and many more.
Portraying the icon that is Cher, is never going to be easy but the three leading ladies are superb. In her younger years, Millie O’Connell (Six, Be More Chill, Rent) plays Cher as a Babe, showing her more introvert side, the vulnerable teen on her journey to stardom and meeting Sonny. O’Connell is vibrant and her dancing skills are impressive. Then Danielle Steers (Six, Bat Out Of Hell) takes over as Lady, the rising star with her marriage crumbling and having no time away from work for her family life. Steers’ mannerisms are a joy to watch, she tears up the stage with her musical numbers and she is my favourite Cher. Debbie Kurup (The Prince Of Egypt, Rent) transforms into Star, showing how she has become a star in her own right, not only with her singing but with a successful acting career. Kurup wows the audience with her remarkable vocals and outstanding performance.
One of the, if not the stand out musical number of the evening was Jake Mitchell as Bob Mackie, in Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do, with his flair and impressive tap dancing skills. Tori Scott as Georgia, Cher’s mother, gives a knockout yet sensitive performance with stunning vocals.
With Arlene Phillips (Lord of the Dance) as the director and Oti Mabuse (double Strictly winner) as the choreographer, the dance performances are flawless and help the story flow through the decades. Ben Cracknell (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), who is responsible for the lighting gives this show the live music concert wow factor. Tom Rogers’ (9 to 5) impressive set design forms the backdrop to the whole production. Gabriella Slade (Six, Bedknobs and Broomsticks) ingeniously reflects each era and mood of the time with her fantastic and outrageous costumes.
The Cher Show is glamorous and flamboyant entertainment from start to finish!