Greatest Days – Theatre Royal, Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Julie Hayward

Theatre Royal is in the centre of Nottingham. It is easy to get to, thanks the city’s brilliant tram network, there is a tram stop just outside, with a reduced fare for theatre goers. Carparking can also be pre booked, in advance, via the box office.

We were here to see The Official Take That musical, Greatest Days. As a fan of Take That’s music, I was hoping that we were in for one of the ‘greatest nights. And we were not to be disappointed.  Hit after hit was performed brilliantly by ‘The Band’, along with the energetic coordinated dance moves that the real-life boy band are famous for.

Take That’s first number one single Prey was released 30 years ago, this musical, and the film of the same name Greatest days, marks this special Anniversary.

I have grown up with Take That’s music and their story of breaking and then making up, as they matured over the years, with their music and performances just getting better and better. We see the archetypal, energetic, youthful, synchronised show dances of their early days, to the theatrical extravaganza of ‘The Flood’ that wowed the audiences of their huge sell out stadium tours, when the group reunited.  The boys’ vocal performances were excellent, just as I’d hoped that the music would be fantastic, but what I didn’t expect, was that the female members of the cast would take centre stage, it was their story that was being told.

Tim Firths script reflects the teenage fan base growing up into adult life, with the music accompanying that journey. It tells the story of five girls, whose friendship bonds were formed from their mutual adoration of the group, they vowed to be friends forever, but their journey into adult life goes along very different paths. 25 years later, Rachel played by the talented Jennifer Ellison, makes their promise come true, they can, like their idols, be reunited. I loved how they didn’t just age the younger actors, but cast appropriately, actors who were there older versions, and there are some wonderful interactions between the two. The boyband, who were a consistent presence in the girl’s everyday lives, and the way this was portrayed on the stage, was very cleverly done.

Alan Stocks, who played the many versions of ‘Dave’ added humour throughout. And the sign language interpreter deserves a special mention, she was on the stage for the entire show, and her signing of the songs, was magical to watch.

This is my favourite kind of musical, the songs reflect the narrative, but the story is believable. I could relate to the main characters, as could most of the audience, remembering what it was like to be that teenager, singing along in your bedroom with a hairbrush.

And if you are like me, you will go away feeling all nostalgic. It is a fun, heart-warming night out.

Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £19.50.
Greatest Days is at The Theatre Royal in Nottingham from Mon 4th to Sat 9th September 2023
For more information or to book tickets visit trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555
Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

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