Show: The Cher Show – A New Musical
Society: New Victoria Theatre (professional productions)
Venue: New Victoria Theatre. The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 6GQ
Credits: Book by Rick Elice. Featuring the hits of Cher. Directed by Arlene Philips. Choreographed by Oti Mabuse. Produced by Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez and Cher
Type: Sardines
Performance Date: 06/09/2022
The Cher Show – A New Musical
All photos: Pamela Raith Photography
There are several aspects of this new show, that’s stopping off in Woking this week, worth considering. It’s all about girl-power – directed by Arlene Phillips and chreographed by Strictly’s Oti Mabuse. The story is about one of the most iconic divas of the last sixty years and stars a trio of females at the the top of their game. I mention the last sixty years because I don’t know how old Cher is; nobody does, not even Wikipedia I would bet.
Thw show itself is a dazzling speed-run through the performer’s life. From a girl to enjoying new-found success in her letter years. All the hits are there too. From Believe and The Shoop Shoop Song right back to I’ve Got You, Babe with Sonny Bono, Cher’s one true love – despite him ripping her off in the process. You always learn something too and thie show is no exception. Did you know that Cher sang backing vocals on Be My Baby by The Ronettes and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling by the Righteous Brothers?! The link is record producer Phil Spector of course.
Youngsters will know Cher from the second Mamma Mia! film, Here We Go Again, but they won’t know the real significance of her presence. Three ladoes who know only too well are Debbie Kurup, Danielle Steers and Millie O’Connell; the three play the singer at different stage of her life and they all have perfected Cher’s sound, both verbally and vocally. It is perfection. But time marches on and, just like Tina Turner, has done, Cher has stepped into the world of theatre and demended her stamp be remembered.
Away from the female-led show for a second and Lucas Rush’s Sonny Bono supports his three divas brilliantly, while Sam Ferriday takes on no less than four roles throughout the evening. It’s difficult to guage whether or not this show will make the West End and sit alongside Tina. My guess is that Cher may be just a little too niche for the general public, which is a shame. That’s despite Danny Belton’s off-stage six-piece band producing a well-oiled sound.
Cher famously wore the skimpiest of outfits well into her sixties and our trio of leading ladies have managed to cleverley dodge most of them – thanks to Gabriella Slade’s beautiful designs. Mind you Sam Cox must have been kept busy with the wig-work involved. Oti Mabuse’s routines are a credit to the ensemble and Arlene Phillips does what she does best; being creative in the wings. I’ve seen her performing in panto and it’s not for her, and I’m sure she would be the first to agree.
Wokin’s New Victoria Theatre closed it’s Upper Cicle on press night, which suggests the marketing department are fighting to sell every single ticket. But for now, I had a great time. bravo!