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Club Tropicana
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
*** Name checking one of Wham's greatest
hits, then not performing it, or any other George Michael composition.
is an inauspicious start.
Fortunately, the 80s spawned a plethora of toe tapping, finger snapping,
hits, many of which appear in this show on the night.
Club Tropicana is reinvented as a hotel, with a house, poolside band,
who serendipitously have a well-rehearsed 80s repertoire. Although the
show is about the clothes and music there is a narrative trying to
escape.
Lorraine (Karina Hind) and Olly (Cellen Chugg Jones) break up on their
wedding day, but decide independently, to use the holiday anyway with
their friends.
Club 18-30 holidays are conjured with all the excesses, and awkwardness,
of young Brits on their first time abroad.
Entertainments manager Gary (Joe McElderry) does his best to bring the
estranged couple together, combining announcing with a stint as a Blind
Date compere – who knows what that might lead to? A
thin romantic sub plot involving hoteliers Robert, Sugababes singer
Amelle Berrabah as nervous hotel manager Serena, and the dastardly
Christine, provides the opportunity for different songs and slapstick
nonsense.
Things do not run smoothly at the Tropicana, it is a case of Fawlty
Towers meets Benidorm. If Trip Advisor had existed then, you would not
be booking.
Writer Michael Gyngell triumphs in shoehorning independently written
songs into a coherent story, with a surprisingly generous helping of
laughs, and slapstick comedy. The
80’s music cognoscenti will guess many of the songs in advance, a
wedding? Fantastic Day. A break up? Don’t Leave Me This
Way. A romantic decision? Making Your Mind Up. What I did
not expect was some very enjoyable ensemble choreography, most of which
is heavily and recognisably lifted from 80’s music videos with vim and
style by Nick Winston. The musical arrangements are variable. Making
Your Mind Up, Only You and Relax are terrific. Others,
notably Temptation and Addicted to Love, are not. The
star turn for me is Consuela, delightfully played by Kate Robbins, the
long suffering, all seeing, put upon cleaning lady whose comedy,
singing, and voice impressions add vital quality to proceedings.
Although it is a clichéd, standard, theatrical device, she carries off
the part with style, and panache. A great character part. The costume department excels with colourful dance wear at the disco, hairstyles culled from The Face and clothes from Chelsea Girl and Top Shop. Find your back copies of Smash Hits to mug up on the lyrics, and have a great time. A very well attended opening night had a ball on a show short of substance, but full of heart. Cheesy as hell, it is performed with brie -o . . .
Club Tropicana runs until Saturday 4th
May Gary Longden 29-04-19 |
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