Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 7 October 2017. Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Being a smidge over forty, I only have memories of Cilla Black beaming out of the TV on family favourites such as Blind Date and Surprise Surprise so was not really aware of her former life until ITV’s 2014 drama and have taken a great interest in her rise to fame since. This production begins way back in 1960 when Cilla (Kara Lily) was known as Cilla White and worked as a coat check in girl in the now infamous Liverpudlian venue, The Cavern. Encouraged to sing at every opportunity by her friends, which included the Beatles and a smitten young man called Bobby (Carl Au), she was beginning to get noticed and after an introduction to Brian Epstein (Andrew Lancel) things started to look up. With her first single not making it to the top spot would Cilla be the superstar she was craving ?
There are many stories intertwining throughout this show. We follow Bobby’s struggle with wanting to be by Cilla’s side while yearning for his own success in the industry and being cast out by his father for loving a catholic girl. Cilla’s parents, John White (Neil Macdonald) and “big Cilla” (Pauline Fleming) having to let Cilla fly the nest despite their concerns and Brian Epstein’s struggle with his homosexuality, drink and drugs. The Beatles have their path gently being told in the background amongst other pop superstars of the day. The scenery and prop usage is outstanding and you feel like you are actually in the cavern back in its heyday with the music pulsating through your very being! Throw sequins, dancers and brilliant tunes into the mix and its a suburb night!
Kara Lily is the perfect choice to play Cilla, her amazing voice and stage presence are outstanding and she should be recognised as a star in her own right. The whole cast do a fantastic job of bringing to life the story of how a young girl from Liverpool rose to become the highest paid female on British television and our National Treasure.
I give it a full 5*****, a heart warming, toe tapping production.