NOW That's What I Call A Musical

Back in the early 1980's, long before the advent of Spotify and digital downloads, there were only two ways to bring all the latest hits to your party – either a large pile of 7” singles, or a compilation mixtape ripped off the Sunday night chart run-down on Radio 1. All of that changed in November 1983 with Now That's What I Call Music, the first in a pioneering series of double albums of original hits performed by the original artists. This iconic series has now reached Volume 118, but those earlier albums provided the soundtrack to virtually every party from the 1980's onwards.

And that is the premise behind Now That's What I Call A Musical, an unashamedly nostalgic look back at that decade through the eyes of two teenage friends, Gemma and April, who meet again, 20 years on, at a school reunion in 2009. Written by Pippa Evans, choreographed and directed by Craig Revel Horwood, and featuring more 1980's hits than you could shake a pair of deely boppers at, the opening sold-out night for the Norwich leg of the show's UK tour became a celebration of teenage hopes and dreams, in addition to celebrating the power of NOW.

Gemma and April appear as both their 1989 teenage selves (played by Nikita Johal and Maia Hawkins) and their older and wiser 2009 counterparts (Nina Wadia and Melissa Jacques). Gemma marries schoolfriend Tim (Kieran Cooper), whilst April reaches for the stars and, dreaming of being a big star, sets off for Hollywood. The reunion disco, being held in a Birmingham pub, provides the setting for more than a few surprises.

Trading heavily on those classic compilation albums for its soundtrack, NOW That's What I Call A Musical may at times feel somewhat of a contrivance – a fault that several similar jukebox musicals may also be guilty of, where the plot is subverted slightly in order to shoe-horn in as many hits as possible. However, the cast do their level best to remain focused on the story-line, presenting their stories with an honest balance of teenage optimism and adult sagaciousness, and providing a believable blend of both humour and despair.

Some of the best performances come from the supporting cast – Phil Sealey as the manager of the local video store where teenage April worked, is clearly enjoying himself, whilst the adult Tim (Chris Grahamson) still has a trick or two up his sleeve. But the biggest surprise of the evening comes in Act 2, with a very special guest performance from pop legend Sinitta, looking fab-u-lous in a full length silver gown and belting out a pop-tastic version of her 80's hit 'So Macho'.