NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE, LONDON – UNTIL SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2024
REVIEWED BY REBECCA LOBB
4****
Get your boarding pass ready…we’re off to Turkey!
A Stock Aitken Waterman musical filled with songs such as Kylie Minogue (I Should Be So Lucky), Rick Astley (Never Gonna Give You Up), Jason Donovan (Especially for You) and Bananarama (Love In The First Degree) to tap your feet to too!
The story starts with Ella (Lucie-Mae Sumner) and Nathan’s (Billy Roberts) wedding day, but the groom jilts his bride after being warned about a family secret that will be exposed if they get hitched. Ella is left heartbroken, so her family and friends, including her Mum (Melissa Jacques) and best friends Bonnie (Kayla Carter) and Michael (Scott Paige), decide to whisk her to Lovers Paradise – on what would have been her honeymoon!
However, back up north in England, Nathan realises he has made a big mistake, and enlists his best man Ash (Giovanni Spanò) to help him win Ella’s heart back…by flying out to Turkey! But all is not as it seems, as Nathan must deal with Ella’s new love interest Nadeem (Matthew Croke) and her not so happy family and friends.
Sumner has been gifted with great vocals, which made her performance cheerful and energetic. Plus the comedic value of Spencer (Jamie Chapman), the camp general manager of Lover’s Paradise, all added to the feel good factor of the show.
In saying that I found the second act quite rushed, mainly due to too many sub plots relating to the love lives of the minor characters. I found some of these plots like the passports going missing, and Britney’s (Jessica Daley) gambling habit a little redundant. I think this took the spotlight away from Ella and Nathan’s love story.
However, one of the main selling points of this production comes in the form of pop princess Kylie Minogue herself. She appears in digital format as Ella’s inner alter-ego, encouraging her to find her inner diva and follow her heart.
The set was bright, colourful, and fun! This musical is joyous, if a little chaotic, from start to finish. And it’s no wonder the crowd were dancing in the aisles at the end!