King’s Theatre, Glasgow
3 stars
You have to hand it to Bill Kenwright. His ongoing reinvention of back-stage musicals for the X-Factor age has become a post-modern genre in itself. Add to this some of the most knowing casting this side of I’d Do Anything and the hits just keep on coming. Take this (or That) new piece for example. Kenwright, co-director Keith Strachan and writer Timothy Prager have not only moulded what’s ostensibly the latest jukebox musical rags to riches rom-com around the supper club MOR schmaltz of Barry Manilow’s song-book. They’ve also managed to turn it into a grown-up vehicle for one-hit wonder and ex teen heart-throb Chesney Hawkes.
As double whammies go, it’s an ingenious means of getting self-styled ‘Fanilows’ into bed with people who aren’t ashamed to admit they bought The One And Only. With a couple of refugees from the Kenwright-endorsed franchise of musical talent shows as the female leads, all bases are most definitely covered. Whether it’s any good or not is a different matter.
As Tony, the wannabe pop star who ends up on a TV talent show, meets a girl called Mandy (natch), but loses his memory after being assaulted by the most rubbish gang of hoodies on the planet, only to find himself again through the power of song, Hawkes makes a cherubically charismatic lead. Neither does he take himself too seriously in a piece not nearly as cheesy as it sounds. As much as both Hawkes and Siobhan Dillon as Mandy are in fine voice, however, this would much rather be a Chez does Baz variety show than a play. Noel Gallagher still probably wouldn’t like it, mind.
The Herald, October 16th 2008
ends
3 stars
You have to hand it to Bill Kenwright. His ongoing reinvention of back-stage musicals for the X-Factor age has become a post-modern genre in itself. Add to this some of the most knowing casting this side of I’d Do Anything and the hits just keep on coming. Take this (or That) new piece for example. Kenwright, co-director Keith Strachan and writer Timothy Prager have not only moulded what’s ostensibly the latest jukebox musical rags to riches rom-com around the supper club MOR schmaltz of Barry Manilow’s song-book. They’ve also managed to turn it into a grown-up vehicle for one-hit wonder and ex teen heart-throb Chesney Hawkes.
As double whammies go, it’s an ingenious means of getting self-styled ‘Fanilows’ into bed with people who aren’t ashamed to admit they bought The One And Only. With a couple of refugees from the Kenwright-endorsed franchise of musical talent shows as the female leads, all bases are most definitely covered. Whether it’s any good or not is a different matter.
As Tony, the wannabe pop star who ends up on a TV talent show, meets a girl called Mandy (natch), but loses his memory after being assaulted by the most rubbish gang of hoodies on the planet, only to find himself again through the power of song, Hawkes makes a cherubically charismatic lead. Neither does he take himself too seriously in a piece not nearly as cheesy as it sounds. As much as both Hawkes and Siobhan Dillon as Mandy are in fine voice, however, this would much rather be a Chez does Baz variety show than a play. Noel Gallagher still probably wouldn’t like it, mind.
The Herald, October 16th 2008
ends
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