Cilla - The Musical (UK Touring)
There are many words that could be used to describe the entertainment phenomenon that was Cilla Black, I like to think that superstar would be wholly appropriate and having that status it’s completely justified that a stage musical about her early life (based on the original highly successful television drama by Jeff Pope) should be entertaining audiences across the UK.
Whilst it’s impossible to replace the irrepressible Cilla it’s the mammoth task of somebody to play her on stage (additionally to follow in the footsteps of another national treasure in Sheridan Smith who took the part on television screens). Stepping up to the plate and smashing the task out of the stadium is Kara Lily Hayworth, the voice, the accent, the characterisation to name only a few criteria are spot on and I can only imagine Cilla is smiling somewhere in another existence.
In the other equally important leading role of Bobby Willis, Cilla’s confidante, ultimately life partner yet initially protector and perhaps even inspirational muse is Carl Au. Carl’s empathy for the position Bobby finds himself in (at one point forgoing a career in the music industry himself in order to provide complete support for Cilla) is truly masterful acting.
This is a story of ups and downs, if ever the audience were to believe it was an easy route from typist to singing sensation and television personality that is soon erased from their mind. Priscilla White has many hurdles to overcome before she finally achieves success, from convincing her father John (a larger than life performance from Paul Broughton) through crises of confidence and homesickness in the US to the transition from singer to all round performer in order to fully embrace a new medium in television.
Managing Cilla through much of this period was the iconic Brian Epstein a man really leading a double life, publicly a music supremo yet personally without any lasting relationships and craving attention that he could only achieve through abusive liaisons. Andrew Lancel is able to highlight everything both flawed and flawless about Epstein with a piece of erudite and sophisticated acting.
So many other performances worthy of mention including a witty yet cutting John Lennon from Michael Hawkins, a supportive but, concerned Kenny and Rose Willis (brother and sister-in-law to Bobby) from Tom Christian/Amy Bridges and an emotionless perfectionist George Martin from Tom Sowinski.
Directed as always authentically by Bill Kenwright and Bob Tomson, choreographed impeccably by Carole Todd and with musical direction of a score containing some of the best and most memorable hits of the 1960s by Scott Alder.
I have no doubt this will become as well loved a piece of musical theatre as any in the future but, you really need to see it now on the debut tour and you have currently until 21st April 2018 to achieve that goal.
Book Here
Whilst it’s impossible to replace the irrepressible Cilla it’s the mammoth task of somebody to play her on stage (additionally to follow in the footsteps of another national treasure in Sheridan Smith who took the part on television screens). Stepping up to the plate and smashing the task out of the stadium is Kara Lily Hayworth, the voice, the accent, the characterisation to name only a few criteria are spot on and I can only imagine Cilla is smiling somewhere in another existence.
In the other equally important leading role of Bobby Willis, Cilla’s confidante, ultimately life partner yet initially protector and perhaps even inspirational muse is Carl Au. Carl’s empathy for the position Bobby finds himself in (at one point forgoing a career in the music industry himself in order to provide complete support for Cilla) is truly masterful acting.
This is a story of ups and downs, if ever the audience were to believe it was an easy route from typist to singing sensation and television personality that is soon erased from their mind. Priscilla White has many hurdles to overcome before she finally achieves success, from convincing her father John (a larger than life performance from Paul Broughton) through crises of confidence and homesickness in the US to the transition from singer to all round performer in order to fully embrace a new medium in television.
Managing Cilla through much of this period was the iconic Brian Epstein a man really leading a double life, publicly a music supremo yet personally without any lasting relationships and craving attention that he could only achieve through abusive liaisons. Andrew Lancel is able to highlight everything both flawed and flawless about Epstein with a piece of erudite and sophisticated acting.
So many other performances worthy of mention including a witty yet cutting John Lennon from Michael Hawkins, a supportive but, concerned Kenny and Rose Willis (brother and sister-in-law to Bobby) from Tom Christian/Amy Bridges and an emotionless perfectionist George Martin from Tom Sowinski.
Directed as always authentically by Bill Kenwright and Bob Tomson, choreographed impeccably by Carole Todd and with musical direction of a score containing some of the best and most memorable hits of the 1960s by Scott Alder.
I have no doubt this will become as well loved a piece of musical theatre as any in the future but, you really need to see it now on the debut tour and you have currently until 21st April 2018 to achieve that goal.
Book Here
Comments
Post a Comment