Grand Opera House York until Saturday 23rd March 2019.
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4.5****
Club Tropicana is a brand new musical by Michael Gyngell. Set in the 1980’s, with tunes by the artists of that decade, which is hugely popular at the moment. It is just my era, love the music and have been to quite a few concerts over the last couple of years, reminiscing to the good old days of my youth. It was one show that I had been looking forward to seeing.
After getting cold feet, Lorraine (Karina Hind) jilts her would be husband, Olly (Cellen Chugg Jones), on their wedding day. Lorraine is persuaded by her bridesmaids to turn the honeymoon into a girlie holiday instead. Meanwhile Olly and his mates also decide to fly out to Spain so that Olly can succumb to “Temptation” and get over Lorraine.
Meanwhile over in Spain, Club Tropicana, the hotel where everyone ends up, is in turmoil. The hotel is run jointly by Serena (Amelle Berrabah from the Sugababes) and Robert (Neil McDermott), with Garry (Joe McElderry) as their Entertainments Manager and Consuela (Kate Robbins) as their Spanish cleaner. They are in contention for best hotel of the year and are expecting an inspector imminently, but someone is trying to sabotage their chances.
The show is basically a celebration of the 80’s, back-combed hair, bright clothing, brick mobile phones and songs by Depeche Mode, Heaven 17, ABC, Cyndi Lauper, and even Dennis Waterman with “I Could Be So Good For You” (not your traditional iconic song from the era), plus many more. My biggest disappointment is that “Club Tropicana” does not appear in the musical, though there are enough references to it and where the drinks are free, but only the first one, but I the other tunes made up for that, still would have loved to heard it though.
McElderry, X Factor winner, is fab as Garry. Obviously, he can sing, I had seen him in a previous show and was impressed with his vocal performance then and he still didn’t disappoint, but this show proved he can act as well. He has great comedic timing in all his glorious campiness, in fact he was “camptastic”.
Robbins, most noted from Spitting Image, had us in stitches of laughter as Consuela, with her “sign”, and her appearance in the hotel’s version of Blind Date. Her rendition of “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” was a highlight. She is a such a presence on stage with great physical comedy, acting, singing, impressions, she really has it all, what a star!
With a dynamic cast, who were wonderful, and colourful vibrant set, though a bit dodgy at times, which in my opinion only added to the experience, you really couldn’t help but be transported back in time, great memories. It certainly has a pantomime feel to it in places, very slapstick, camp, cheesy, but I love cheese and you couldn’t help but laugh out loud, it was very infectious. What more could you want for an entertaining evening?
Club Tropicana – fun and sunshine, there’s enough for everyone – so make sure you get your ticket now.