Catch Me If You Can – Northwich Memorial Court

Catch Me If You Can follows the story of Frank Abagnale Jr as he runs away from an unhappy home life, reinventing himself as many characters, including a pilot, a doctor and even a lawyer, forging millions of dollars in cheques and staying one step ahead of the FBI. All while being chased by FBI Agent Carl Hanratty.

The staging is fantastic with a runway style rostra that comes out from the main stage and surrounds a centre section of seating, making us all feel involved. The use of this extra staging is genius as it helps take the attention from the main stage so scene changes can take place. All of which are seemless and slick and, as with the main character, keeps on the move throughout. This brings the vision of director Ben Ireson to life, allowing the lead character, Frank Jr, to connect with the audience in many ways, not just from the main stage but from within the audience.

A show of this size needs a fantastic sound and the 14 piece live orchestra are there, right in the heart of the piece on a cleverly constructed city skyline in full view and just as important as the story itself. The band, led by MD Michael J Scott sounded incredible, every note perfect and balanced excellently with sound effects and vocals.  

Nick Livesey as Frank Abagnale Sr takes us on a journey from successful business man to one who loses everything and takes us through many emotions. Clare Shutt as Paula Abagnale plays the French mother fantastic with some beautiful vocals.

Isabella Harrison delivers a beautiful character in Brenda, giving her lots of heart and soul and delivering the most vocally stunning Fly, Fly Away. Andy Dolan and Heather Baker as Brenda’s parents Roger and Carol are hilarious and brilliant characters to bring to life.

Gareth Earl as Carl Hanratty is fantastic, sinking his teeth right in to the character and delivers a top notch version, tough enough to get the job done but with enough heart to get the emotion of the character across. And what amazing vocals.

Ollie Hale as Frank Abagnale Jr is the full package. From the moment you see him, you are taken in by the character and want him to succeed. Hale is charasmatic and playful with the role. The way he speaks to the audience makes you believe this is his show and everyone is there just for him. He tells a fantastic story with lots of laughs and a lot of emotion, more than I was expecting. There are great dance moves but I have to mention the incredible vocals that come out of his mouth. This score is a tough one but Hale sings it with ease, delivering a perfect sound and leaving me stunned at the incredible Goodbye.

Every single cast member gives everything they have to this show, delivering some of the best vocals I’ve heard in a long time and the hard work absolutely paid off. The choreography by Ceris Shadwell was fantastic, full of energy and fun and delivered to a very high standard by all the cast.

Lighting by Aurian Lighting, Ian Wiper and Ben Ireson was incredible, taking an already fantastic show and illuminating it to a phenomenal one.

Sound by Tom Maurice was perfect. With a show of this scale it can be difficult to get the mix right but it was perfect, every note, word and song could be heard comfortably.

Video design by Jonathan Hall was brilliant, projected on the back wall, it elevated the set pieces being used at the front of the stage and merged the two together, enveloping the band but tying it all together.

Costumes are perfect and brings us in to the era fantastically well.

Everyone off stage should give themselves a huge pat on the back as a show on stage can only work as well as it does with an army off stage and you can see how hard everyone has worked.

A huge thank you must go to enrolls front if house for the very warm welcome, the hospitality and looking after us so well, something I always feel TMTC give to a high standard every show we have been to of theirs.

Catch Me If You Can runs at Northwich Memorial Court until Saturday 24^th October with tickets available at www.themusicaltheatrecompany.org.uk

Reviewer: Damian Riverol

Reviewed : 22^nd October 2026

North West End UK Rating: