Review: THAT’LL BE THE DAY, London Palladium - Tour
Photo credit: Jessie Hawkes
As a live music revue, That'll Be The Day has been touring for 40 years. Over that time, it has raised £1 million for charity and released an album with all of the profits going to the Make A Wish charity. For this alone, they should be justly proud.
But it's also a tribute to the staying power of the show's producer, director and star Trevor Payne. With a talented company of singers and musicians, they create an entertaining show that features the hits from four decades of pop music. A video sets the scene as a montage of historic events flicker across the screen. It methodically winds back and stops in 1955, the year that rock 'n' roll landed on UK shores. The music that provided the soundtrack to our lives was about to be let loose.
A tight and well drilled band provided sterling support throughout the performance. The singers fronted the ensemble and adopted a number of personas along the way. They kicked off with a medley of hits from Bill Haley and his Comets, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly and Little Richard. Then a section devoted to legendary music show 'Juke Box Jury' featured major hit records of the 60s. The Beatles were, perhaps surprisingly restricted to just two songs, while Mike Sarne's quirky, novelty hit 'Come Outside' provided a useful contrast.
The introduction of three drummers for a cracking version of the theme from 'Hawaii Five-0' really moved things up a notch. The obligatory nod to 'Top of the Pops' showcased British solo acts including Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and Lulu. Act One closed with a tribute to flower power and the summer of love. A great version of the Beach Boys 'Good Vibrations' segued nicely into the Beatles 'All You Need Is Love'.
Act Two began with a couple of Elvis Presley songs in his Vegas jumpsuit phase. Then, quite rightly focused on the British Elvis, Cliff Richard. A strong medley of Cliff hits morphed into his early successes with the Shadows. Then a quick scoot through some later 70s hits and into the 80s for the finale. It was a performance full of verve and commitment from a fine cast, who played and sang out of their skins.
The show's status was obvious as Sir Cliff Richard and Hank Marvin sent their best wishes via video message. If it had a weak spot, it was the comedy sketches, which were patchy and to a degree broke the momentum. Like all jukebox musicals, song selection is key and they can't please everyone. The chronology was also puzzling as they dealt with the 50s and 60s in Act One, but returned to the 60s early in Act Two. These minor quibbles aside, it's a show that celebrates the good times, and heaven knows we need that now more than ever.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Brian Penn
That’ll Be The Day is touring the UK until 12 June, with further info here.