Happy Days (Theatre Royal, Plymouth)

Yawn.

Happy Days – a New Musical springs onto the stage in a backwash of nostalgia and TV reputation but falls flat with a score to forget and series writer Garry Marshall‘s strained storyline.

Tom Rogers‘ set is bright and adaptable with hinged flaps taking us from Arnold’s milk bar to the Leopard Lodge to the Cunningham’s kitchen and more while Paul Williams‘ music and lyrics is grounded in the 50s but without a showstopper in sight.

With only the theme tune ‘Happy Days’ for audience participation and the band hidden away, there is just no oomph.

Scott Waugh makes a competent professional debut as Richie Cunningham, clean-cut good guy and loving son while a capable Lucy Jane Adcock stepped up in double quick time to fill the fluorescent stilettos of Pinky Tuscadero (with Heidi Range taken ill soon after making a powerful entrance) leaving a seemingly inexhaustible and vivacious Charlie Allen (as Lori Beth) to energetically represent the rank and file of ‘the girls’ (which made for an unusual dance competition).

Ben Freeman (Emmerdale, Dreamboats and Petticoats) fails to impress as the iconic leather-clad legend Fonz while the ubiquitous Cheryl Baker (Bucks Fizz et al) holds the fort as wholesome Mrs Cunningham – full of presence, twinkle and big voice – mentoring Emma Harrold (Joanie) to a delightful duet with What I Dreamed Last Night.

Even a pie-making tap dance, family picnic with bad boy wrestling and sink plunger hip hop, James Dean, Elvis and an enthusiastic talented cast can’t lift the piece beyond humdrum.

Disappointing – Karen Bussell