I saw this show in London and found it very dreary, and it was literally a copy of the film. However, although the script is more or less the same in this production, Sarah Tipple has injected an energy missing in London. The addition of more well sung live songs was also a benefit. The dancing is really the star of this piece and the cast give it their all. The scenes seem to have been sacrificed to the appalling sound design which is so loud that the poor actors are shouting to get the message across and you still can't hear them. The outstanding performance comes from Emily Holt as Baby who brilliantly handles her journey. Charlotte Gooch dances with great flair and looks amazing, and there is great support from the Hausman family (Emilia Williams, Lynden Edwards and Shona Lindsay). All in all an enjoyable evening out. - Belinda
03 Oct 11
Saw this last night and still can't decide whether I loved it for its cheesiness or hated it!! As others have said, they copied the film word for word which I wasn't expecting. I would have much preferred the same storyline and music but with adaptions for stage. Although an amazing dancer "Jonny" was lacking any charisma at all. Penny was suberb and Baby did a good job. And what is the "lake scene" all about??!! Hysterical!!! Though I suspect its not meant to be!!! Worth going to see it just for that!!! Overall, an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours, but definately not worth £50 a ticket!! - Twinkle
02 Oct 11
It was an exact copy of the film on stage which didn't work. The succession of short cinematic type scenes meant it was rushed & hard to understand, especially if you haven't seen the film. The acting was terrible, they were shouting above the music a lot of the time. They were all copying the film actors right down to small mannerisms which I guess they were told to do. I love the film but I was expecting the writer to keep the classic scenes but adapt the story to the theatre so that the stage version would be distinguishable from the film & offer something different including the characters. The plus points are that the singers & dancers were brilliant, the Lisa rehearsal scene was excellent fun & the classic scenes such as Mickey & Sylvia and the end scene were enjoyable. I couldn't work out if the water scene was done seriously (cringe) or tongue-in-cheek (hilarious). A 3D cinema version of the film would be better than this. - Lisa
01 Oct 11
This show could have given so much more. Emily Holt as Baby was fantastic but let down by Paul Michael-Jones lack of character. You only see him come alive in the last 5 minutes when he has his big dance. The scenes are jumbled and anyone who may not have seen the film would be confused as to what's going on. Fabulous support from the rest of the cast with some exceptional vocals coming through. I didn't come away with that eurphoric feeling I have done with other feel good shows - Kay
