Cilla The Musical at Bristol Hippodrome - Review
Posted on: 2018-03-14
Our rating:
With a strong story, powerful vocals and a set and costumes that perfectly evoke the look and feel of the era, Cilla - The Musical is a fitting tribute to a national treasure.
Cilla -The Musical is a stunning new adaptation of Jeff Pope’s critically acclaimed TV series which charts the rise to fame of Sixties pop star turned Saturday night TV doyenne Cilla Black. This is the story of how a teenage typist from Liverpool went on to become one of Britain’s best loved entertainers of all time.
***Showing until 17th March 2018 at The Bristol Hippodrome - GET TICKETS HERE***
It has been almost 3 years since Cilla passed away and during this time her status as a cultural icon has grown immeasurably, with her larger than life personality and down-to-earth attitude she continues to be greatly missed. The legend lives on though, as she has been spectacularly brought to life in this uplifting and heart-warming production.
Cilla’s story is a real rags to riches tale of the working-class girl done good and lends itself perfectly to the stage. The story is told against the backdrop of Liverpool in the swinging sixties and is set to musical director Scott Alder’s dynamic score which not only showcases the songs that defined Cilla’s career - Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie, You’re My World – but sets the scene by including a string of well-known hits by the likes of The Beatles, Mamas and Papas and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
For those too young to remember the decade this is a fascinating insight into the growth of the famous Mersey Beat sound and Cilla’s prominence within it, as well as providing a real burst of nostalgia for those who grew up in the sixties.
Kara Lily Hayworth is mesmerising in the lead role. Selected from thousands of hopefuls at open auditions, she truly embodies the part. Technically excellent and with a sensational singing voice she perfectly conveys the tenacity and confidence of the lady herself as she powers through the hits. Her rendition of Anyone Who Had a Heart is the ultimate high point in what is a spine-tinglingly accurate and spellbinding performance.
Carl Au playing Bobby –Cilla’s eventual husband and manager- has good chemistry with Hayworth and their budding relationship is never less than believable. Au is clearly a talented performer and with his strong vocals and confident delivery turns in a fine performance as this cheeky Liverpudlian.
Andrew Lancel is impressive as Brian Epstein - the manager Cilla shared with The Beatles - whose taboo love affairs and troubled life ultimately led to his untimely death. Lancel’s skilful performance really tugs at the heartstrings. All are supported by a sensational ensemble of talented dancers and musicians who deliver every song with energy and commitment, working together to create the unique vibe of the time.
Sadly, last night’s performance had to take an impromptu break just before the finale due to the ill-health of some theatre-goers. Once they were safely off to hospital the cast returned to the stage with gusto to give us a rousing final medley jampacked full of Sixties classics, enough to get the audience dancing in the aisles.
With a strong story, powerful vocals and a set and costumes that perfectly evoke the look and feel of the era, Cilla The Musical is a fitting tribute to a national treasure.
Article by:
Sarah-Jane is an aficionado of film, theatre, culture and the arts. A voracious reader and avid crafter, she can be found volunteering her face painting talents at Bristol Zoo when she's not cementing her reputation as Coalpit Heath’s cake maker extraordinaire. Known to have an opinion on everything she’s never happier than when sharing these with the good folk of Bristol!
