Sheffield Lyceum – until 6 October 2018
Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne
5*****
Growing up as a child in the 1980’s I have fond memories of Saturday nights sat round the television as a family watching Cilla on “Surprise Surprise” and later in “Blind Date” blissfully unaware that long before asking our Graham for that quick recap, Cilla (born Priscilla White), had a successful career in music, working alongside icons such as The Beatles and The Mama’s and Papa’s.
The idea for musical itself came from the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series which was based on the early life of Cilla Black, by BAFTA award winner Jeff Pope.
The story starts in wanna-be singer Cilla’s bedroom where she gives a speech as she imagines herself accepting an award and then starts singing into her hairbrush – only to be interrupted by her dad’s bellows that he is on nights and that she is making too much noise!
It’s the swinging-Sixties Liverpool, where Priscilla White and her friends Pat and Paula love to hang out inside the famous “The Cavern Club” which features up and coming bands and singers. On a night out with her two friends, band “Big Three” perform “Some Other Guy”.
It isn’t long until Pat and Paula encourage Cilla to get up and sing with the band “Zip-a-Dee Doo Dah” and soon Cilla is a regular performer at the Cavern Club, capturing not only the eye of future husband Bobby Willis but her future Manager Brian Epstein.
At first Cilla’s parents are unsure if quitting her office job (after being deemed “suitable” for office work as a teen) to pursue a music career is the best choice for their daughter, especially when her first record “Love of The Loved” only reaches number 35 in the charts (October 1963), but her second single “Anyone Who Had a Heart” reached number 1 in February 1964, launching her successful music career.
Given that my only memories of Cilla Black are that of a 40+ year old television presenter, it was very easy to believe Kara Lily Hayworth as a young Cilla – the looks and the voice – both spoken and in song were utterly convincing – not just the Scouse accent but her mannerisms made Hayworth mesmerising to watch. If it wasn’t for the fact that Hayworth’s perfect portrayal of the iconic legend were only discovered through an open audition, I’d have thought she had been practising her impersonation of Cilla for years knowing that this stage role was destined to be hers. She is simply sensational! The chemistry between Cilla (Kara) and husband Bobby Willis or “Our Bobby” as Cilla often fondly referred to him as (Alexander Patmore) was believable and I particularly loved how the story highlighted how Bobby sacrificed a singing career to be devoted to Cilla’s success, later becoming her Manager following the sudden death of Brian Epstein.
Andrew Lancel’s portrayal as the camp, doting well suited and booted Manager Brian Epstein, was another highlight of tonight’s performance. Whilst launching the careers of the Beatles and Cilla, Epstein was battling his own demons, from his sexuality to loneliness and finding comfort in drink and drugs.
The musical is the most perfect tribute to such an iconic legend who left a great big hole in the world following her death in August 2015. I am sure if there is a heaven Cilla will be looking down with pride at such a fitting tribute. Kara Lily Hayworth was born to play the role of Cilla and whilst the world will mourn the death of the singer/TV presenter for years to come, we can at least celebrate her legacy through the voice of Hayworth in this fitting tribute. Cilla The Musical is simply sensational.