Never Forget Finishes at Savoy 15 Nov Before Move

Never Forget, the new musical based on the greatest hits of reformed Nineties boyband Take That, has extended its season at the Savoy Theatre until 15 November 2008, when it will finish there before moving on to another West End venue for Christmas and an open-ended run into the new year.

Following its world premiere last July at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre and two regional tours, Never Forget opened on 22 May 2008 (previews from 7 May) at the Savoy Theatre, where it was previously booking until 25 October only (See 1st Night Photos, 23 May 2008). The show will transfer immediately to its new home.

Speaking to Whatsonstage.com, producer Tristan Baker said Never Forget will move to a theatre of a similar size to the 1,150-seat Savoy, with further details confirmed within the next week. “It’s in fantastic shape and we’re now looking to the long-term future,” said Baker. “We’ve had an amazing critical response and the public are loving it so we want to keep the show going in the West End as long as people want to keep seeing it.”

The musical centres on the members of the unlikeliest Take That tribute band and follows the rollercoaster journey of young Gary Barlow-like hero Ash (Dean Chisnall) and his mates (Craige Els, Stephane Anelli, Tim Driesen and Eaton James) in the pursuit of their dreams. Along the way, each of them discovers that pretending to be someone else can sometimes help you find out who you really are.

Never Forget includes Take That chart-toppers such as “Relight My Fire”, “Pray”, “Back for Good”, “Babe” and the title number. The Take Thatters are joined in the 28-strong cast by Sophia Ragavelas, Joanne Farrell, Teddy Kempner and Marilyn Cutts, as well as 20 members of the Never Forget children’s choir who accompany them in the finale.

Never Forget has an original book written by TV’s Danny Brocklehurst (Shameless, Clocking Off), Guy Jones and Ed Curtis, who also directs. The production is designed by Bob Bailey and choreographed by Karen Bruce, with costumes by Christopher Woods and musical supervision by Mike Dixon. It’s produced by Tristan Baker, Bronia Buchanan and Charlie Parsons in association with Jason Haigh-Ellery.

No further productions have yet been announced for the Savoy.

– by Terri Paddock