Reviewed by Claire Giles
Benidorm, the highly successful and much loved tv show, makes a move from tv to the stage and does not disappoint. It was non-stop fun and laughter throughout. There was plenty of innuendo, one liners, jokes and crudity as anyone who had watched the show would expect and it was delivered exceptionally by the talented cast. Fan favourites from the show including Mateo, Jacqueline, Liam, Kenneth, Joyce and Sam were joined by new characters that had come to stay at the Solana Hotel.
We watched the show at The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds. The Grand is based in Leeds City Centre so easily accessible by car or public transport. There is plenty of payable car parking nearby. The staff were all very friendly and helpful.
Set in the Solana Hotel which has recently been subject to a takeover. Staff become aware that a hotel inspector is staying at the hotel undercover to access the current situation. The staff all need to work together to impress the inspector and save all their jobs. But who really is the hotel inspector? Hilarity pursues as the staff try to figure this out and go to great lengths to impress them.
Overall the cast was outstanding and how they stayed in character and delivered some of the lines without bursting into laughter I do not know. Adam Gillen as Liam and Damian Williams as Derek simply stole the show. Adam’s portrayal of loveable but dim-witted Liam was just pure entertainment. When he sang and danced Unforgettable in the second act it was definitely unforgettable for all the wrong reasons! Damian played Derek or gay Derek as he introduced himself perfectly. His declaration of love to Kenneth through song was hilarious.
Setting the stage was the outside frontage of the Solana Hotel. This cleverly rotated and other part rotated around it so that the scene could quickly and easily be changed to different parts of the hotel such as the reception desk, the pool, pool bar or the blow and go. Even the interludes and scene changes were accompanied by dancing and singing. For the second act the stage was transformed into Neptune’s Bar were the entertainment and singing was led by Neptune’s resident singer Asa Elliott.
It delivered everything you would expect from watching the show and more. The audience was up on their feet as the cast delivered a final all singing and dancing performance of Viva Espana to end the show to riotous and well-deserved applause.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £15 (booking fees may apply).
Benidorm Live is at the Grand Theatre in Leeds from 18-23 March 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.leedsgrandtheatre.com or call the box office on 0844 848 2700.
Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, 46 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NZ | 0844 848 2700
