NOW! That’s What I Call A Musical tells the story of two school friends from Birmingham in 1989 who couldn’t be more different. Gemma envisions a quiet life with children, while April dreams of Hollywood stardom. When April jets off to the states to chase her dream, the two inevitably lose touch… until a school reunion 20 years later brings them back together.
This brand new jukebox musical's biggest selling point is undoubtedly its music. Packed with 80s bangers, the soundtrack is a nostalgic treat for audiences eager to hear their favourite tunes. Beyond the music, the script and set are also stuffed full of references to the era. However, this reliance on nostalgia comes at a cost. After a while, it feels like the show leans too heavily on retro charm rather than developing a more compelling story. The frequent time jumps between the 80s and 00s make the narrative feel disjointed, making it difficult to fully connect.
The show shines most when it fully embraces its campy, feel-good nature. Sonia’s guest appearance, in particular, is a fabulous fever dream that had the audience in raptures. However, NOW! struggles with its identity. At times, it attempts to introduce depth by addressing serious themes like suicide and domestic abuse. Unfortunately, these moments are later played for laughs, which feels uncomfortable and unnecessary. Similarly, while it’s refreshing to see genuine body diversity on stage, the impact is undermined by a cheap sizeist joke towards the end of the show. Although there are some moments of genuine humour, they are overshadowed by more dated comedy.
X Factor winner Sam Bailey is a lot of fun as April, with powerhouse vocals to match. Due to the nature of the story, she doesn’t appear until the final moments of the first act, which feels like a real missed opportunity. That said, Maia Hawkins, playing the younger April, is outstanding in her stage debut. Her spine-tingling rendition of ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ was a clear standout moment. While the entire cast gives it their all, some inconsistent accents and moments of less engaging choreography occasionally take away from the overall enjoyment.
Although it won’t be a contender for my show of the year, NOW! That’s What I Call A Musical is sure to find its audience in those looking for a night out, with their favourite hits brought to life on stage.
NOW! That's What I Call A Musical is on at Manchester Opera House until Saturday 01 February 2025.
Note: My ticket was gifted. Irrespective of whether a ticket is gifted or bought, I always ensure that my reviews are fair and based on my honest opinion alone.