Review: GREATEST DAYS, Wolverhampton Grand - Tour
Photo credit: Alastair Muir
Previously titled The Band, Greatest Days tells the story of five friends, obsessed with a boy band in the 90’s, who now reunite 25 years later on a trip to Athens to see their idols perform once again. Although a lot of time has passed and a lot of things have changed, can they be the friends they once were? Are the boys enough to bring them all back together?
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK Number 1 single ‘Pray’ and the summer release of a movie version, this should have been the Greatest Day…. instead, we left feeling like there was a lack of Shine.
Jamie Corner, Archie Durrant, Regan Gascoigne, Alexanda O’Reilly and Benjamin Cameron form ‘The Band’. Whilst they look the part, that’s where the similarities end. Dance routines don’t feel polished and vocals lack the strength and quality to be heard.
However, the same can’t be said for the girls. Evangeline Jarvis Jones as Young Rachel, Kitty Harris as Young Heather, Hannah Brown as Young Zoe and Mari McGinlay as Young Claire are witty and harmonise beautifully. Bayley Hart as Debbie is outstanding, her performance effortless.
The grown-up versions of the girls remain strong, Rachel Marwood (Rachel), Charlotte Anne Steen (Heather), Holly Aston (Zoe) and Jamie-Rose Monk (Claire), clearly showing the bond that was once there and relatable to all whom had that group of friends at school. Costumes by Lucy Osbourne are delightful, with each character (young and old) bonded together by the colour of their outfit. It is a subtle, but nice nod to their connection.
Comic relief is provided by Alan Stocks who plays Every Dave, a single thread that is weaved throughout the story. Just simply, very funny!
Co-directed by Tim Firth and Stacey Haynes, the story moves at a nice pace and it is enough to keep audiences engaged, and with music by Take That and choreography by Aaron Renfree, there is an element of nostalgia to the piece and on the whole, it comes together well.
Whilst the basis to the production is good, it’s just missing the wow factor that we were expecting and needs a little bit more to relight our fire.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin
Greatest Days plays at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 22 July and continues touring until 25 November. To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.