Fat Friends The Musical at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend Review

Reviewed by Claire Turner

Flesh is Fabulous! Diets are Crap!

What a night! I knew the show was going to be good as I remember watching some of the TV show it is based on – I just didn’t know how good it would be. Kay Mellor has done a wonderful job turning her TV show from 18 years ago into a super hit musical.

The curtain rises and immediately the audience is laughing – it doesn’t stop there! The opening scene is the lycra-clad slimmer’s at their Zumba class determined to lose weight.

The show stars, Jodie Prenger, in the role of Kelly, desperate to fit into her wedding dress, but failing miserably, mainly due to living above the family fish and chip shop! She has a fantastic voice which fills the theatre.

Super Slimmers leader Lauren, played by Natalie Anderson (Emmerdale and The Royal), is leading the Zumba workout and her passion is to get everyone in her slimming group thin (whilst falling in love with the vicar of the church they use for their meetings). Ex Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton plays slimming guru Julia Fleshman, she is suitably catty as cynical, scheming slimming club founder.

Rachael Wooding plays Kelly’s slim sister Joanne who constantly ridicules her about her weight and Pippa, Julia’s meek assistant – both roles are total opposites of each other and each one is played magnificently!

Unfortunately, Sam Bailey had flu so the part of Kelly’s Mum Betty was played by Ellie Leah. She delivered a great performance and her voice was strong when singing alongside her on stage husband Fergus, played by Kevin Kennedy.

All the cast played their roles very well and the audience were engaged (mainly with laughter) throughout.

At times it was like I was sat in the hall of a local sliming group – so true to life and accurate! Laughter, tears, talk of food that’s limited and the ‘oh I’ll just go home, eat my half of apple and 3 almonds to fill me up.’ Brilliant!

The talk of chocolate erupted into a song and dance routine – watch closely!

The songs were short and catchy, I can’t say too much otherwise it’ll ruin the show for many!

This musical is currently on at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, and as always we parked on the seafront and walked up the steps to the theatre, enjoyed a coffee before the show and had good seats in the stalls.

A very deserving 5 stars from me!

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £28 to £27.50 (booking fees may apply).

Fat Friends The Musical is at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend from 19-24 February 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135.

Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA | 01702 351135