New Wimbledon Theatre – until 11th November. Reviewed by Jess Brady
5*****
Cilla Black is one of the nation’s best loved entertainers in history and this musical adaptation of the wonderful ITV series playing back in 2014 written by John Pope, is a fitting tribute to the rise of a star!
The story of Cilla Black, or White as she was known before her rise to fame, starts with her humble beginnings in Liverpool. From a hard working Catholic family, her loving parents were unaware of Cilla’s true destiny and talent; they were proud of her job as a typist and figured that was her true calling until one day she decided to sing in the historic Cavern club with a local band where it all began. From that night she met her soul mate Bobby Willis who rarely left her side and knew Cilla was a very special. Music producer Brian Epstein felt the same when he spotted her performing and offered her a recording contract and from that moment on Cilla Black was thrust into the spotlight.
The production is full of hits that most will recognise and not just from Cilla Black herself but also from The Beatles to Gerry and the Pacemakers to Mamas and Papas and you will find that your toe tapping and clapping along to some of the most popular music of that exciting time in musical history which changed the world.
Kara Lily Hayworth plays the title role of Cilla Black to perfection with outstanding vocals and that warm familiar personality that Cilla had which makes this show very special. It felt like we were going back in time to witness the story in real life and Hayworth takes your breath away with Cilia’s classic number 1 hit ‘Anyone who had a heart’. Carl Au who plays Bobby is equally as captivating and has some lovely moments in the show that make the chemistry between Cilla and Bobby real and truthful, as well as having a wonderful voice in his songs. Andrew Lancel as Brian Epstein is a perfect choice and plays the talented yet tormented producer with charisma and draws you in with his wonderful performance. The entire cast are phenomenal and set the tone of the show with some of them adding instrumental performances also that compliment the action.
This production is perfect for anyone who loves jukebox musicals but it has more to offer than that alone. It is a show about love, talent, ambition and family that ultimately represents everything that the late great Cilla Black was and if she was still around to see it, I think she would be proud to have accomplished so much in her life and having a production of such a high standard being performed for thousands of people who loved her and seeing her story unfold. Cilla always had dreams from being a star and her extraordinary story really captures the audience’s hearts and ensures that her memory will never die.