A love letter to Northern Soul from the witty playwright John Godber tours the UK this year, and it’s guaranteed to tug at a few heartstrings and give us all the nostalgia kick we crave.
Three twenty-somethings from Hull contemplate life, friendship and the state of the world in this delightful comedy. Finding an appreciation for Northern Soul, the friends explore why this phenomenon was so popular, and how we’re all just wishing for the simple joys of the old days.
With dreams paused because of Covid, and a feeling of helplessness and resentment in their working-class roots, the trio find their solace in the discovery of Northern Soul dancing. Sally’s gran has a load of vinyl in the attic, the song “Do I Love You” is constantly played at their work (a drive through takeaway, which makes for some very funny sequences), so they go along to a £3 all-nighter and find a whole world of mods still exists.
In the Shakespeare North Playhouse, the play feels very intimate, almost as if we’re there with the characters in their practise room. I wonder if it would feel as engaging when not performed in the round, but I appreciated how involved the audience were in this setting. I was almost anticipating people to get up and dance along with the actors at some points. A simplistic set design means that we can go from the Cleethorpes Pier to the local chicken shack in seconds, and the play moves quickly and efficiently along, never spending too long in one place, just like its characters.
The three actors all excelled in their performances. Loveable Nat, played by Chloe McDonald, comes out with some great one-liners, and also plays an Irish grandmother with a convincing balance of humour and wistfulness. Emilio Encinoso-Gil is brilliant as wannabe dancer Kyle, with applaudable comic timing and captivating stage presence. The heart of the show is with Sally, played by Martha Godber. She’s not as sweet as Nat, not as confident as Kyle, but Sally is the backbone of the piece and Godber gives a well-rounded performance. I found that the audience instantly warmed to her. The hard shell slowly disintegrates as Sally loses her grandmother, and through Godber’s portrayal, her vulnerability is finally revealed.
It’s a story of every-day people, with a fantastic soundtrack and a lot of heart. John Godber has captured the frustrations of everyday working-class life, whilst the joy and release comes in moments of choreography from champion Sally Molloy. You don’t have to be an expert in Northern Soul to appreciate the dancing, or to appreciate the whole play to be honest. The story touches on grief, nostalgia, missed opportunities and many other themes that are bound to relate to any audience member and keep you reminiscing as you leave the theatre.
Reviewer: Coral Mourant
Reviewed: 2nd April 2025
North West End UK Rating:
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