Mayflower Southampton – until 10th November
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Following on from the hugely popular, ten series TV sitcom Benidorm, Benidorm Live has hit the stage running and seems to certainly be pulling in the fans. Sticking to the same format of being set at the Salerno Hotel with some very familiar faces it felt like catching up with an old friend.
There are several story lines intertwining to keep us entertained. A couple who have been sent to the Salerno after their posh hotel overbooked are struggling to adapt to a less decedent establishment, there is rumour of a hotel inspector lurking around, gay swingers, randy Spanish waiters, family reunions, romances and big musical show numbers! Ditsy Joyce Temple-Savage (Sherrie Hewson), lothario Mateo (Jake Canuso), Blow and Go duo Liam (Adam Gillen) and Kenneth (Tony Maudsley), ageing swinger Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) and holiday maker turned staff Sam (Shelley Longworth) provide us with the saucy postcard humour and slapstick comedy we all love Benidorm for .
The set is simple but works well with set changes providing a chance for the cast to impress us with some rather splendid dance moves and vocal acrobatics that will get your toes tapping and hands clapping. The entire audience were beaming from ear to ear and laughter from all ages filled the theatre. Benidorm Live is a large throbbing shaft of light at the end of a dark moist tunnel, much needed in our current climate!