I Should Be So Lucky, a new musical featuring the songs of legendary eighties 'music factory' producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman has arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre and it's pure joy!, writes Chris Gregg.
Stock Aitken and Waterman soundtracked the eighties for many of us, and this show manages to hit the perfect note with relatable characters and a plot that's a bit bonkers but great fun, it definitely brings the feelgood factor in a way that's not been seen since Mama Mia first appeared.
All the hits are here with 25 songs including ten chart toppers from Rick Astley, Kylie and Jason, Bananarama, Mel & Kim, Sinitta and even Hazel Dean, and the lyrics fit the plot snuggly as if they've been penned for the purpose.
The show opens with Ella and Nathan's wedding but she's abruptly ditched at the altar and heads off on honeymoon with her bridesmaids, Mum and grandma, transporting the audience to the sunshine of Turkey where the hilarious hotel staff and some surprising plot twists mean there's plenty of plot in between the hits.
The creative genius behind this show is Debbie Isitt, who created the hit show Nativity! and she's worked with choreographer Jason Gilkison, the Creative Director of Strictly Come Dancing and Eurovision 2023 to produce a fabulous show with great staging that really makes you feel like you're on holiday, some brilliant dance routines and a great energy and sense of fun that matches the mood of the songs.
The cast are great, with some top West End talent with stand out performances from Lucie May-Sumner who is incredible as Ella, and a great performance from understudy Tegan Bannister as Bonnie alongside Jamie Chapman (Nativity! The Musical, The Mousetrap) as Spencer, Jemma Churchill (Guys and Dolls, Nativity! THe Musical) as Ivy, Matthew Croke (Wicked, Aladdin) as Nadeem, Jessica Daley (Mamma Mia!, Les LMiserables) as Britney, Gary Davis (Annie, Oklahoma!) as Big Mike, Melissa Jacques (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Mamma Mia!) as Shelley, Scott Paige (The Great British Bake Off Musical, Made in Dagenham) as Michael, Billy Roberts (Rock of Ages, Titanic The Musical) as Nathan, Giovanni Spanò (Jesus Christ Superstar, Bat Out of Hell) as Ash, Lucie-Mae Sumner (Mary Poppins, Guys and Dolls) as Ella and Anna Unwin (Aspects of Love) as Olivia. The cast is completed by Ralph Bogard, Elliot Broadfoot, Emma Crossley, Kade Ferraiolo, Sydney Isitt-Ager, Joe Kelly, Aidan Nightingale, James Willoughby Moore, Lauren Woolf and Louie Wood.
There's also a special appearance from Kylie Minogue, albeit in a digital form but it's very cleverly done.
Although their music is played on the radio less these days, it's given it a chance to gain a real nostalgia value and this show brings it all back with so many amazing songs you won't have heard for years, in a show that feels fresh, fun and full of life. This is much more than just a jukebox musical - it is easily one of the best musicals that's come to Milton Keynes Theatre.
I Should Be So Lucky is at Milton Keynes from Tue 5 - Sat 9 March 2024 at 7:30pm (Wed, Thu & Sat Matinee @ 2:30pm)
