People may think the life of a theatre reviewer is one of freebies – free show tickets, free programmes, free interval drinks.
But every so often, expenses are incurred and that was my lot after watching The Cher Show at the Hull New Theatre on Tuesday evening.
The expenses? Well, I enjoyed the spectacular so much, back home I downloaded every Cher hit I could find – and, at 99p a pop, it created a sizeable dent in my pocket money!
But I will get such enjoyment listening to Cher’s songs after being reminded of her wonderful career so far, in a glittering show that did more than justice to her musical legacy.
Aided and abetted by a very atmospheric stage setting, lighting and live music from a talented group of musicians, plus, costumes to absolutely die for throughout, the story begins with a shy schoolgirl called Cherilyn Sarkisian.
Fast-forward a year or two and the 16-year-old Cherilyn has met Sonny Bono who, at 12 years her senior, influences her career, sings with her; eventually marrying her and fathering her child. And she is now called Cher.
Every part of this show has been so cleverly thought out, the three stages of the singer’s career – innocence, confidence and arrogance – continuously intertwine, not letting us forget or ignore any part of Cher’s public life.
And thanks to at least four superstars; three as Cher in her differing ages – Millie O’Connell, as Babe (innocence), Danielle Steers as Lady (confidence) and Debbie Kurup as Star (arrogance) – and one as Sonny in the guise of Lucas Rush, it was as if the Sonny and Cher duo themselves were on the stage.
The young Cher’s earliest fan is her mother, Georgia (the very talented Tori Scott). However, her mom’s encouragement often turns to disapproval at how Sonny dictates her daughter’s life – dragging her from rags to riches and back to rags.
The entertaining script, acted out with the most amazing singing and clear speaking voices (the sound technicians got it spot on), left us in no doubt that Cher needed to get away from Sonny. And get away she did to become the strong, independent woman she always dreamed of being.
Unforgettable hits such as If I Could Turn Back Time, Strong Enough, Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves, The Shoop Shoop Song and, of course, I Got You Babe, were just some of the 35 songs performed to perfection on the night.
Highs and lows abound. We laugh with Cher when she’s in love, first with Sonny, then with her second husband Greg Allman and her great love, Rob Camilletti (dual roles for the multi-talented Sam Ferriday) and grieve with her at the loss of Sonny in a skiing accident in 1998.
Cher will always be known for her amazing costumes created by Bob Mackie (an energetic and amusing performance by Jake Mitchell) and costume designer Gabriella Slade did a magnificent job in bringing more than a touch of Mackie’s glitter to The Cher Show, without them being gaudy.
This sequin-studded spectacle fully deserved the prolonged standing ovation it received. I loved every starry minute.
Running until Saturday, May 7th, 2022, 7.30pm on Wednesday, 4th, Thursday, 5th and Saturday, 7th; 5pm and 8.30pm on Friday, 6th, with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday, 4th and Saturday, 7th. Tickets from £20. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co.uk
Age guidance: 12+
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 3rd May 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★