West End Wednesday: NEVER FORGET

Never Forget is a 2007 musical using the songs of the hit British Boyband ‘Take That’. Never Forget was the first musical to use the songs of the band, written by Gary Barlow, before the creation of the musical The Band in 2017. Never Forget also features songs that were covered and made popular by the band. The musical chronicles the journey of a TAKE THAT tribute band but is not related to the history of the actual band; it features a story of love, friendship, ambition and betrayal. 

The musical, with a book by Guy Jones and Ed Curtis, opened at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in July 2007 for a short UK tour, which received mixed to positive reviews. The opening night of its first tour at the Manchester Opera House was filmed and released on DVD. The show then embarked on a six-week tour in 2008 before opening at the Savoy Theatre in May 2008. The musical was directed by Ed Curtis and choreographed by Karen Bruce. The opening night cast included Dean Chisnall as Ash, Craige Els as Jake, Stephane Anelli as Jose, Eaton James as Dirty Harry, Tim Driesen as Adrian and Sophie Ragavelas as Chloe. The musical opened to favourable reviews. The production had set design by Bob Bailey, lighting by James Whiteside, sound by Richard Brooker and costumes by Christopher Woods. The show closed in the West End in November 2008.

After its London stint, the show then toured the UK again in 2009. This time, starring Mark Willshire as Ash, Adam C. Booth as Jake, Scott Garnham as Jose, Tom Bradley as Adrian, Philip Olivier as Dirty Harry and Aimie Atkinson as Chloe. 

Never Forget featured no endorsement from TAKE THAT and the band itself did not feature in its conception or thereafter as the songs were licensed for use by label EMI just before the band reformed. The script for Never Forget is constantly updated to reflect the change in time, referencing the band’s comeback and even better success. 

Not seen it? Have a watch Besties, the DVD is a cracking night out (in)!

FACTS:

Book: Ed Curtis, Guy Jones and Danny Brocklehurst 

Music: Gary Barlow

Lyrics: Gary Barlow

Theatre: The Savoy Theatre

Run: 7 May 2008 – 15 November 2008