Save The Last Dance For Me at the Palace Theatre Manchester Review

Save the Last Dance for Me
Palace Theatre, Manchester

27 June to 2 July 2016

www.atgtickets.com/palacetheatre

Reviewed by Sarah-Kate Cantlie

Save the Last Dance For Me at the Palace Theatre in Manchester is set in the early 60’s and the story of Jennifer (Lola Saunders) and Marie (Elizabeth Carter) is typical of the period. The two sisters from Luton are allowed a caravan holiday by themselves in Lowestoft, with big sister Jennifer in charge. The two girls are soon charmed by an officer from the American air force base, singer from boyband Blue Antony Costa, aka Milton. Marie soon loses her heart to Milton’s friend Curtis, but the teenager in love is set to leave for home after a week and with race and distance not on their side, Curtis breaks her heart.

Curtis (played by Wayne Robinson) soon regrets his decision and wishes things were different, but without the approval of Marie’s parents, things aren’t looking too hot for the couple. Curtis gets into a fight and sheds some of his air force uniform, much to the delight of the party of ladies I was sitting behind. Curtis isn’t the only easy on the eye gentleman in the production, as can be expected from a show featuring men in the forces.

The storyline whisks you along and is packed full of many a decent tune, from Viva Las Vegas, Be My Baby, to Then He Kissed Me. The air force base band get going pretty frequently, which is unsurprising, given they perform 31 hits before the finale. As Marie waits for her fella to write, we get a great rendition of please Mr Postman, before we jump back to Lowestoft and the air force base.

Jennifer’s love interest Carlo (Kieran Kuypers) is comical, but I was mildly confused by the character at times. The Italian ice cream man from Wolverhampton was sweet and comical, but ultimately I was left confused, which was perhaps the plan. Carlos brings the girls back to Lowestoft and Curtis has been sent to Germany, what will Marie do? Luck is obviously on her side as Curtis returns and the two hit it off once more, this part of the production is packed with emotion and I was really willing them to find each other again, against the odds at this point. For me this was the best part of the production and very well executed.

I would recommend this one, the music is good, but given the amount of songs, the story doesn’t get much of a look in, it’s certainly not a deep performance with developing characters, which I didn’t mind at all. Sing along and enjoy the music, it’s always a great night at the Palace Theatre, the staff are great and the theatre is beautiful.

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £17.90 to £39.90 (plus £4 transaction fee).

Save the Last Dance for Me is at the Palace Theatre in Manchester until 2 July 2016. For more information or to book ticket click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3019.

Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FT | 0844 871 3019