The Cher Show

Review by: Paul Towers, 19 April 2022

The Cher Show by Rick Elice, music as performed by Cher

Producer by Live Nation

At Curve: 15 – 23  April 2022 and then touring

 “packed with snappy one-liners ensuring there are plenty of laughs”

 For anyone around in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, in fact right up to the modern day this is the music show for you. From the moment that the 16 year old Cherilyn Sarkisian met 27 year old Sonny Bono an icon was born. Through her (many) relationships Cher has continuously been faithful to her fans and, despite crippling self doubt, became what many refer to as the Goddess of Pop.

The Cher Show very cleverly uses a trio of actresses to represent each phase of her life but they also represent the combined strengths of her character.

Babe (Millie O’Connell) is the baby of the story, brought up by her mother Georgia (Tori Scott) who constantly told her she could be whatever she wants. Lady (Danielle Steers) is the mid life Cher, still working things out, mother to two and going through men like a knife through butter. But still not satisfied with her life. Finally there is Star (Debbie Kurup), the diva we have all grown to love. Together this triumvirate make up the whole Cher, independent and in control of her life.

All three of the actresses have amazing singing voices and all perfectly capture Cher’s vocals to perfection.

As Sonny Bono Lucas Rush portrays the only average singer but very controlling manager/husband who is the butt of all the jokes that Sony & Cher made on stage. Jake Mitchell is archly camp and over the top as Bob Mackie, Cher’s costume designer in later years.

This is a big show with a supporting ‘entourage’ of  12 outrageously choreographed by ex-Strictly professional Oti Mabuse. The direction by also ex-Strictly Arlene Phillips (last seen at Curve at the helm of Grease) is vibrant and highly energetic.

This is far from a jukebox musical as it has a strong storyline with some of the songs barely getting a line while others warrant a  full rendition. There is no feeling that songs have been shoehorned into the narrative.

The script by Rick Elice is packed with snappy one-liners ensuring there are plenty of laughs. But what else do you expect from Cher?

The singing is so good there is no need for auto-tune (as Georgia points out) and the only way this show could be any camper would be if Cher was played by a drag queen!

The Cher Show is at Curve until 23 April and then tours nationwide

 

Curve https://www.curveonline.co.uk/
https://cheronstage.com/

http://ptheatre.blogspot.co.uk/