Take That and Party in Never Forget

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Take That and Party in Never Forget

NEVER Forget, which opens at Milton Keynes Theatre on Tuesday (March 4) is one of those feel-good musicals that you can't help falling in love with.

It has the pedigree of being co-written by Shameless creator Danny Brocklehurst plus boasting the music and lyrics of a certain Mr Gary Barlow.

But this isn't a knock-off tale about boy band phenomenon, Take That, it's an uplifting and inspirational comedy of how five young misfits with stars in their eyes dream of making a better life for themselves.

Add into the mix that all the songs are from Take That's back catalogue and you have a party just waiting to happen – and it will be happening when it opens at Milton Keynes Theatre tonight (Tuesday).

Each boy has a reason for wanting success. Ash hopes to win the respect of his girlfriend and earn enough cash to prevent his mum's pub from going under, chancer Jake is just flat broke, mummy's boy, José, has travelled from Spain to strike out on his own while male-stripper, Dirty Harry, wants to give up the day job and boring bank manager, Adrian, wants to inject a bit of life into his marriage before his wife walks out on him.

The answer? They audition for unscrupulous promoter Ron Freeman who is looking for five likely lads to enter the Battle of the Tribute Bands contest as Take That.

In truth they look as much like TT as the Jackson Five but each character has some of the originals' personalities – with, perhaps the exception of the hysterical José, whose homespun philosophising in a heavy Spanish accent brings the house down.

Do they make it and what could possibly rock the boat to prevent their success? Well, there's rival pop promoter and dominatrix Annie Borrowman , who by day manipulates the careers of naïve young singers, and by night turns into a raunchy man-eater with her sights on the innocent and lovely Ash.

Joanne Farrell (Heartbeat's Mandy Mills) plays Annie like a much younger, sexier version, of Sharon Osbourne. She takes no prisoners in her highly competitive business and does her best to prise Ash from his fiancée's arms.

Her one big number is Once You've Tasted Love – performed with pole dancers, stockings, whips and sexy dancers – and it's a belter

Annie's competition comes from innocent-looking fiancée Cloe (Sophie Ragavelas) – but watch what happens when she steps into Lulu's shoes for Relight My Fire.

And what of the boys? Dean Chisnall as Ash is much better looking than Gary Barlow (sorry girls) and is responsible for carrying most of the big songs, which he does expertly. He doesn't try to sing like Gary but you can see the influence.

Craige Els (Jake), who has recently appeared in Spamalot and Mamma Mia, is about eight inches taller than Robbie but the Liverpool lad has a lot of his cheek. His relationship with Ash is intimate and honest in the way that only lifelong friends can be.

Craige is a powerful personality and at times dominates a scene but that's very much in line with his character. One minute the joker, the next ruthlessly ambitious, not prepared to ride on the shirt-tails of his best pal.

The other three are played very much for fun. Ex-Belgian pop star, Tim Driesen, capture's little Mark Owen's innocence and vulnerability as Adrian while at the same time using the fact that the real singer once worked in a bank as the basis for his character.

Stephane Anelli is strikingly handsome though rather short for Jason Orange but what José lacks in stature he makes up for in outrageous, over-the-top comedy. His mother would love the show.

And Dirty Harry Eaton James? Worth a ticket just to see him strip off girls. He has the Howard smile and certainly the body but is perhaps the weakest in personality.

Lookout too for black dancer Scott Maurice – he's mesmerising and far too talented to be wasted in the chorus-line – a natural for Tyrone in Fame.

Never Forget isn't just for diehard TT fans. It's an entertaining night out in the company of charismatic and talented performers who are accompanied by one of the best score's imaginable.

There's also spectacular special effects that are a signature of the boys' concerts – the signature wall of rain for Back For Good, the first time it's ever been used on stage, and a sheet of flames for the finale (though it was though it was less disco inferno and more a flash in the pan at the matinee show I saw in Bromley last week).

Be prepared to get up and dance. This is one party you don't want to end.

Never Forget runs until Saturday, March 8. For tickets and information contact the box office 0870 060 6652 or online www.miltonkeynestheatre.com