I Should Be So Lucky was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre where it runs until 6 March 2024. The tour continues until 11 May 2025.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Pack your suitcase and get your sunglasses at the ready, as this week Milton Keynes Theatre is travelling to sunnier climes with the fun-filled jukebox musical, I Should Be So Lucky. Featuring record-breaking hits from iconic producers, Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman, this show written and directed by Debbie Isitt (Nativity!), packs a punch with high-energy dance numbers and tongue-in-cheek jokes – it even features the diva herself, Kylie Minogue.
The story starts with Ella (Lucie-Mae Sumner) and Nathan (Billy Roberts) preparing to say their vows on the most important day of their lives. But the wedding doesn’t quite go to plan, with last-minute jitters causing Nathan to leave poor Ella at the altar. Ella’s bubbly family and friends rally around and decide to cheer her up by joining her on the honeymoon she’d planned with Nathan. A lot unfolds under the hot summer sun of Turkey, including new love, affairs, hot air balloon accidents and nightclub fiascos; yet amongst the chaos, the audience gets to partake in plenty of laughter and infectious joy.
I Should Be So Lucky is a light-hearted show that can be enjoyed by a wide audience, whether you’re a fan of the famous songs that are cleverly weaved into the plot or are on the hunt for an alternative night out with your girlfriends. Definitely a show for a slightly older audience though, with some choice words and a fair few sexual references.
For a humorous and cheery show, the performers are serious about their craft. The talent of every actor shines through, with timed-to-perfection routines, unique singing voices and believable acting. It is impossible not to warm to the varied personalities of the characters, from the wonderfully camp hotel manager Spencer (Jamie Chapman) to Ella’s larger-than-life Nan, Ivy (Jemma Churchill). It’s hard to pinpoint just one standout performance, but for me, praise has to be given to leading lady Sumner for her portrayal of Ella. Her liveliness is something to admire, she had me laughing in one scene before feeling heartbroken for her in the next. The stage and costumes designed by Tom Rogers are as vivacious as the cast – expect plenty of hearts, kaftans and glitter.
Aside from the killer tunes, like Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, Jason Donovan’s ‘Too Many Broken Hearts’ and Bananarama’s ‘Love in the First Degree’, which are expertly performed by the live band, this show is ultimately a comedy. If you enjoy British humour, then I Should Be So Lucky is guaranteed to make you giggle. All of the characters have great comedic value, with the scene in the nightclub where Nathan and his friend Ash (Giovanni Spanò) are in disguise so that they can spy on Ella, being one of the funniest moments of the show. Book your tickets now for an evening where you can leave your troubles at the door and escape with a few hours of merriment.
Hannah Grimmette
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.