I Should Be So Lucky The Musical At Sheffield Lyceum Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Jenny Bray
The title of this show should help give away that it is a true 80s fest of music with a plot to weave over thirty, yes thirty, 80s hits in to. While walking towards the theatre I was slightly disappointed that everyone was just in normal clothes. I had half expected to see some neon and 80s gear amongst the audience.
The producer, Debbie Isitt, has done a fantastic job of meshing together loads of Stock, Aitken and Waterman’s biggest 80s hits in to a fun musical. Songs in this musical include; Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, Jason Donovan’s ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’, Bananarama’s ‘Love In The First Degree’ and Kylie Minogue’s ‘Especially For You’, ‘Better The Devil You Know’ and of course ‘I Should Be So Lucky’. However, some of the songs included were only really used as one or two lines,
This musical doesn’t claim to be deep. Instead it is fun, camp and definitely feel good with a lot of pink everywhere. The story is that of young lovers, due to get married. Nathan (Billy Roberts) has pre-wedding nerves and ends up not going ahead with the wedding. Ella’s (Lucie-Mae Sumner) family and friends decide to go on the honeymoon trip en masse with Ella to try to cheer her up. Once at the resort, which is very centred around the honeymoon experience, Ella is given special treatment for her broken heart.
There are other sub plots going on throughout too. I liked Bonnie’s (Kayla Carter) character and her vocals were amazing, especially when doing a solo of ‘You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You’. I also enjoyed Ash’s (Giovanni Spanò) stage presence, particularly when in the club. The song Toyboy by multiple members of the cast, stood out as being a fun one for both singing and choreography. Ella’s sister Britney (Jessica Daley) has her own issues that Mum Shelley (Melissa Jacques) and Gran Ivy (Jemma Churchill) pull out as the story progresses.
I loved that Ella’s best friends included Michael (Scott Paige) who wore as much pink as everyone else and was brilliant in his part, especially when Hassan (Louie Wood) is introduced to provide assistance to the group while on holiday. Tour guide Nadeem (Matthew Croke) is also on hand to assist Ella during her stay. Spencer (Jamie Chapman) is there to help out everyone. Watch out for his appearance in the club.
I liked that there were a few quips during the performance that were tailored to local places, with reference to somewhere being akin to Rotherham and a club like Sheffield Flares.
There were parts where the audience were laughing really loudly. Some audience members were mouthing along to a lot of the songs and moving their heads to the music.
The Lyceum is well signposted with plenty of parking nearby. Remember to pick up your ticket for the 1st hour free at the Charles Street Q park car park if you park there. The staff there are very friendly and helpful.
The stage setting was suitably glittery with the whole stage being encased in huge hearts, with a screen at the back that enhanced each scene. There were various props brought on stage to suit the scene, which worked well. The best was a huge mirror that came down from the ceiling and converted to a large than life Kylie on screen at various points as a kind of fairy godmother for Ella to encourage her. Her mantra to Ella of ‘strong, beautiful and fabulous’ was very fitting. For me it will always resonate as being relevant to her, as an amazing pop star who has continued to produce hits since her initial time with Stock, Aitken and Waterman in the 80s.
Outfits were a combination of 80s looks mixed with more modern. The wedding itself was more modern style outfits with a hint of 80s, whereas the club scene on the holiday was full on sparkles on everyone.
This isn’t a show where I left being totally in awe of or blown away with anything in particular. Some of the vocals were average and the plot is cheesy. However, I left with a big grin on my face and lots of 80s songs going through my head. It certainly cheered up my otherwise dreary mid January evening.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15 to £57
I Should Be So Lucky The Musical is on at Sheffield Lyceum between 16th and 20th January 2024.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0114 249 6000
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/i-should-be-so-lucky
*Photos by Marc Brenner