New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 23rd February 2019
Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes
4****
Over the years I have seen a lot of jukebox musicals and I have loved each and every one of them so The Band is no different. Featuring the music of Take That, The Band has audiences singing and dancing along.
The musical starts with 16 year old Rachel (Faye Christell) explaining that she grew up listening to a boy band, knew all the words to their songs and all her friends – Heather (Katy Clayton), Claire (Sarah Kate Howarth), Zoe (Lauren Jacobs) and Debbie (Rachelle Diedricks) loved them as well. After an unfortunate event after going to see the boy band in Manchester the girls part ways but are brought back together 25 years later after a grown up Rachel (Rachel Lumberg) wins tickets to see the boys on their reunion tour in Prague. Leaving behind boyfriend Jeff (Martin Miller), she meets up with Heather (Emily Joyce), Claire (Alison Fitzjohn) and Zoe (Jayne McKenna)
The story makes you want to ring your best friend and tell them you love them (which I did) whilst singing along to Take That. With the songs woven well into the story and sung mainly by AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Sario Soloman and Yazdan Qafouri who all won their parts via a TV Talent show. The set works well with the story as do the outfits worn by the characters.
All in all a good innocent girly night out that will be enjoyed for many years to come