Reviewed by Jan Mellor
As my mum and I approached the theatre there was a red carpet and a great air of excitement and anticipation – this was the show about ‘Our Cilla’ the home-grown superstar from ‘Scottie Road’ in their treasured Liverpool. The only really heart-wrench was that beloved Cilla was not around to see the opening night of the show in her cherished home town.
The theatre was packed and as the show opened with a little-known star. Kara Lily Haworth. standing alone on stage talking (as Cilla) about her dreams of being a star – immediately the show felt personal and intriguing. From this opening scene – we were immediately transported back to the heady days of the ‘Mersey Beat’ sound with an impressive set of ‘The Cavern’ emerging on stage.
The bands of the day were represented by songs from ‘The Big Three’, ‘Gerry and the Pacemakers’ and of course ‘The Beatles’ who all appeared on ‘The Cavern’ stage to remind us of the iconic Liverpudlian sounds of the ‘60’s. Cilla sang numbers ‘Zip- a dee- doo dah’ and ‘Some other guy’- tantalising the audience with her astounding voice and with what was to come. The humour of the ‘Proddies’ versus the ‘Catholics’ was greeted by laughs (and acknowledging groans of ‘yes we know what that was like’) from the audience. As Cilla mixed with the Beatles and her mate John Lennon, she sang an amazing rendition of ‘For the first time’ and had us all in the palm of her and her cast’s hands.
The script continued with Cilla meeting the besotted ‘Bobbie’ Willis (whose adoration is fondly shown throughout the show) and Brian Epstein (played by an incredible lookalike Andrew Lancel) and by giving us a heart-warming insight into her terraced housed home life – brought to life again by clever and artistic props. The era was so lovingly portrayed showing how when Cilla was trying to make it as a professional singer her manager Brian could only inform her by ringing her at the red phone box at the end of her terrace. Cilla moves from hit to hit and as she sang them’ You’re my world’, ‘Anyone who had a heart’, ‘Alfie’ … the audience were raptured by the beauty of this star’s voice and how she carried us back to those hits.
The show depicted Brian’s self-loathing and torture of his homosexuality, the dedication of Cilla’s soulmate Bobby and the realisation that Cilla was a homegirl and not made for the starry heights of America – in a true and caring way. The audience were with her, her humorous and devoted family, her decisions, her desire – every step of the way.
There were sheer moments of delight – Cilla and Bobby singing ‘You’ve lost that loving feeling’ and Brian singing ‘hide your love away’ that left the audience in stunned silence. I never wanted it to end. The show ended as Cilla’s career moved from singer to show host and with the untimely death of Brian. The audience had times of tears, laughter and absolute joy.
My mum worked with Pricilla White in The Cavern when she was in her late teens (she is now 84) and throughout the show, with tears in her eyes she would say “this feels so real”. The ‘Beatles’ were fabulous, Brian Epstein looked so authentic, the ‘Whites’ were a great depiction of the Liverpudlian family of the day, Cilla sang and looked amazing – the evening was an absolute dream and I cannot say enough about this fabulous show. What a tribute to Cilla Black this show is – what a complete tragedy that she wasn’t with us to see it! See this show – it will make you feel cherished.
An absolute iconic show of a true icon! See this show, enjoy the great songs, re-live The Cavern days and be immersed in the joy of Cilla Black once more.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £13 to £63.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Cilla – The Musical is at the Liverpool Empire from 7-16 September 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/liverpool or call the box office on 0844 8713017.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE | 0844 8713017
