That’ll Be The Day at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre Review
That’ll Be The Day
30th Anniversary Tour
Bournemouth Pavilion
9 August to 12 September 2015
Reviewed by Keith Mitchell
Yes, you read that right!! This year is the 30th anniversary of the show.
The Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre is the ideal setting for a show of this nature. An Olde Worlde style theatre reminiscent of the 1950’s and 60’s Odeon and Gaumont cinemas. Well preserved in its own right. There is plenty of parking BUT BE WARNED, this show started 7.45pm, had a 20 minute interval at 9.15 pm and finished at 11.05pm so don’t put a 2 hour parking ticket on your car!
The audience were typical of the show, the Grey Army were out in force, but with a sprinkling of younger element. If you like the music of the 50’s and 60’s and later then this show is for you! A video screen behind the stage for newsclips of the eras. Cue the music! I am not going to even try to list all the songs of the evening as some were fully done others in short medley bursts but will try to give a flavour.
First off a medley of Bill Haley and the Comets, followed by Runaround Sue and Splish, Splash. On came the dance troupe, young ladies plus 6 teenies so cute keeping up with the moves and giving it some welly! The show is interspersed with brief sketches and jokes to give the band and dancers time for the many, many costume changes. The main artists change to the appropriate garb for the song and character they are portraying. Just remember these people are not in the main pretending to be the originals and give mighty performances of many of the classic artists and songs of the generations. Moving on through the first half we are rewarded with Kiss Me, Honey, Honey and Old Shep ( humorously done with one character playing the dog) before launching into a spell of Richie Valens, Big Bopper and a creditable Buddy Holly and the Crickets set, (La Bamba , Chantilly Lace, Peggy Sue. Oh Boy to name a few). By now the audience had warmed to their task singing along and clapping when encouraged by the performers.
Brief bit of American Pie to the backdrop video of the newspapers showing the loss of those three fine performers. On to Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, a funny sketch with Andy Pandy (Gary Anderson) and Louby Lou, much to the delight of all of us. Now for the Shadows segment, Apache, Footapper and of course a couple of numbers from Trevor Payne the man behind much of That’ll be the Day over the many years doing his Cliff bit.
A few birthday announcements and he spotted Ivy in the audience, someone who has seen many of the shows and celebrating her 103rd birthday!!! He got down to talk to her and the audience went wild (well as wild as us wrinklies do!). Travellin’ Light and Living Doll follow with much audience participation.
A bit of Thank Your Lucky Stars on the video screen, Do You Love Me, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, The Searchers and tribute to Cilla with Anyone who had a Heart. My Generation, Lazy Sunday move the show along at a pace. At one stage the 18 girl dancers and 11 musicians and singers are all on stage together and despite this, no mishaps. A bit of Shout! followed by All you need is Love led nicely into the 9.15 break.
I noticed a young girl sitting next to me scribbling furiously all the way through in darkness, like I was. She was reviewing for Bournemouth University Student Mag and when asked, summed up the evening perfectly. Great songs, great energy, fun and she loved it!! Told you it was for all ages.
Second half starts with an Elvis set backed by video clips of the man himself while Gary Anderson does the live front Burning Love, Can’t help falling in love, Heartbreak Hotel and Jailhouse Rock of course and Dixie. Cue the Grey Army going into raptures. Triple drummer whammy that went down a storm lead to… the Rolling Stones slot with Trevor doing his mike impersonation, flirt with Ivy, cracking jokes about childhood and on into Brown Sugar. Moving through the genres to a bit of Johnny Cash and Dolly P singalong time with Mary Lou, Jackson, and Dolly’s I will always love you (nicely sung but Dolly’s voice in real life is much harsher). A bit of Whitney, The Rubettes, Gloria Gaynor, Kiki and Elton, T Rex led to a fine rendition of Sultans of Swing (complete with headband and red jacket).
A bit of Tom Jones and a quick couple of Carpenters numbers , by now all the theatre was standing, clapping and dancing as the cast launch into their Quo renditions OF Down Down, Caroline, Whatever You Want. A bit of Abba’s Waterloo, sing along time with De Doo Run Run and Do Wah Diddy, Hi Ho Silver Lining and on into That’ll Be The Day!
Wow, the audience were baying for more, then realising after the standing ovation, that actually we were suddenly aware how worn out we all were.
Each year the cast support charities and this year, despite three hours of effort, singing dancing and joking, is no exception. Several raced out into the foyer to sing autographs and hold the collection buckets for Make a Wish Foundation and after such a great night it looked as though the audience were responding well from their pockets. Seven more nights in Bournemouth and touring into next year around the country, do yourself a favour if you like great entertainment singing songs from your youth or you are younger and like the old songs DON’T MISS THIS SHOW!! Fine music, fine singing and musicianship what more can you ask?
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £22.58 to £27.41 (booking fees may apply).
That’ll Be The Day is at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre until 12 September 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 576 3000.
Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU | 0844 576 3000
