Venue Cymru, Llandudno, Sept 12 and touring
(4.5 / 5)
T C Productions Ltd
This performance is part of the 40th anniversary tour of ‘That’ll be the day’ and labelled as the farewell tour of Trevor Payne. Would this be indulgent nostalgia or a more vital performance that loyal fans are used to? Most certainly it was the latter with a few reminiscences thrown in for good measure.
The show starts with a medley of rock ’n’ roll numbers such as ‘Oh Boy’ and ‘Rock around the clock’ and before the interval there is a large focus on sixties music with a range of artists represented including the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Each of the main performers take their turn in singing that song best suited to their voice. For me, the vocals of Nikki Renee Hechavarria were outstanding but there were no weaknesses in the line up. The songs tended to be of a type, upbeat, optimistic, sing-a-long and all came from the charts. Would it be too much to ask for something more raunchy like ‘The Who’, or for a protest song from Bob Dylan?
The backing musicians were excellent. They were on stage for the vast majority of the show, playing a range of different styles and providing backing vocals for countless shows. Along with the sound and lighting crew these would be the unsung heroes of the show. There was a nice moment when Ollie Grey was handed the original Fender Stratocaster played by Trevor when the show first started, long before Ollie was able to pick one up.
The show is more than a musical review. Songs are interspersed with small comic videos and comedy routines. There is great repartee between Trevor, who writes, produces and directs the show and Gary Anderson. The jokes are often suggestive, much in line with ‘Carry On’ film humour which is highly appropriate given the origins of the show are in holiday camp theatres in places like Minehead and Bognor Regis. There are also sections were performers impersonate popstars. To do this, a performer has to move fairly seamlessly between characters, and then take on a new persona for a couple of songs. This makes the show quick paced and engaging throughout.
To last 40 years, there has to be a winning formula especially when the show has people who return year after year or more than that, travel around to see the show in different venues whether in Britain or elsewhere. It is great to see how the show has developed playing larger venues and attracting more followers and that they have been generous enough to support charities like the Make a Wish foundation, Childline and Help for Heroes. During lockdown, the show was streamed into people’s homes with over 200 performances taking place.
For many an evening like this is a trip down memory lane to see a choice selection of hits from the 1950’s to the 1980’s but there is enough here to engage both young and old. It is thoughtfully prepared and well rehearsed with the cast and crew working together as a team. As befits such a well honed show, it is a great nights entertainment.
