Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 10th February. Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
Kay Mellor OBE is one of the greatest writers and producers we currently cherish in the U.K, having an exceptional back catalogue of stage, film and TV hits. Including the children’s drama Children’s Ward , feature film Fanny and Elvis, a TV adaption of Jane Eyre and the recently aired Girlfriends. Kay has now adapted the TV series Fat Friends for the stage and I for one could not wait to see it!
Set in Headingly, Leeds and based around a slimming club we see the struggles, insecurities and love lives of an everyday group of people we can all probably relate to. The set is a cleverly designed row of shop fronts with a wedding shop, chippy and the church hall at the centre of the story.
Super Slimmers Group is run weekly by the wedding dress shop owner Lauren (Natalie Anderson), who wants to help the locals achieve the weight loss she was so successful with on the plan….. for a weekly fee of course! She dreams of meeting the love of her life and wearing one of the beautiful dresses in her shop . After group, Lauren runs a zumba class with the help of local vicar Paul (Jonathan Halliwell), who dreams of finding the love of his life….. I think we can all see what may happen here!
Group member and nominee for Super Slimmer of the year, Betty (Sam Bailey) and her husband Fergus (Kevin Kennedy) are struggling to make ends meet at their chippy Big & Battered as they go up against big, modern chains like Nandos et al and the rising demand for healthy foods unlike their beef dripping golden chips and battered fish. With the wedding of their daughter Kelly (Jodie Prenger) fast approaching to the lovable Kevin (Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff ), Kelly heads off to choose the wedding dress of her dreams , which turns out to be too small but she purchases anyway claiming to be able to slim into it within six weeks….. been there….. said that!
Super Slimmer of the Year day arrives and Julia Fleshman (Natasha Hamilton) arrives in town. The waif like, business minded, hangry founder of Super Slimmers. When Betty doesn’t win the award, Kelly begins a rant down the local TVs camera stating its all rubbish and she can lose the weight for the wedding herself and giving Leeds an eyeful of her curves. The unscrupulous Julia seizes this as a good business opportunity offering to pay for the wedding and dress if Kelly follows the plan and fits into the dress. Julia will get the correct outcome for her business no matter what it takes and no matter how unethical!
We have will they won’t they moments, see peoples vulnerabilities, hen nights, jealous stags, partial nudity, giant chocolate dance scenes, love, friendship, surprises, songs that will leave you breathless from laughing and scenes anyone who is a slimming club member will recognise nationwide! It is a strong, tight cast who deliver perfectly, Freddie can hold a tune…. who knew! I personally have six days till weighing in day….. plenty of time to reclaim the gain of the Big & Battered I’m about to inhale .
Grab your gang from slimming club and laugh away some calories!