Review: I Should Be So Lucky (Touring)

Wednesday, 13th December 2023 at Leeds Grand Theatre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

As far as brazen camp-fest musicals go, I Should Be So Lucky is Out There and then some. Running full throttle through a whacky romance-driven plot on a candy floss set with no shortage of heart-shaped, pink-hued everything, this show gives audiences plenty to entertain, with no fluffiness spared.

We follow Ella (Lucie-Mae Sumner) who is stood up at the alter by foolish fiancé Nathan (Billy Roberts). He has his reasons, dumb as they are, and the story shifts abroad as the jilted bride recovers on a honeymoon taken with family and friends – and Kylie Minogue no less, who flies in on a screen, fairy-godmother style, to offer Ella diva-riffic pep talks. Sumner is an excellent lead with a great balance of comedy, tenderness and talented vocals, while Roberts gets a more limited character but does well to land the physical gags when faced with a love rival: the quick-on-his-toes Nadeem (played by a charismatic Mathew Croke).

Jamie Chapman, Elliot Broadfoot and Giovanni Spanò lead the way with comedy offerings as the overly-attentive resort owner, the flamboyant guy-pal on Team Bride and the groom’s comically over-pumped best man respectively. Spanò also offers some of the best vocals to be found here, along with Sumner and Kayla Carter as gal-pal Bonnie. And the music is generously littered throughout; aside from the title ditty, this show boasts 24 hits from the 80’s and 90’s, penned by hit-makers Stock Aitken Waterman. From “You Spin Me Round” to “Never Gonna Give You Up”, there are plenty of toe-tappers to enjoy.

It’s in the heavy emphasis on spectacle that we find the strongest elements of this show though. Tom Rogers’ set is like a constant dream sequence: mostly monochromatic, heart-themed set pieces and plenty of plush detail and soft lines, but also at times like a fever dream, so gleefully over the top is it. Jason Gilkison’s choreography, playing out against these heightened backdrops, is energised to the point of being turbo-charged at times, giving the ensemble plenty of opportunities to impress with their pace and precision. And the musical sequences are really where this production succeeds most – even if the story may leave some wanting (or irked at Ella’s life choices maybe…), the entertainment along the way can’t be denied.

With Debbie Isitt writing and directing, it seems the story aims for Mama Mia! territory with its loose and playful plot, lively musical numbers and boppy songs, but it doesn’t quite make it – primarily because neither the plot nor the music is strong enough. In truth, many plot details are rushed in after the fact in a frenetic final 30 minutes full of random developments and revelations, including belated attempts at depth and layers. While commendable, they don’t come off because they arrive so suddenly after so much tongue-in-cheek, one dimensional plotting for the majority of characters – we are given a Barbie World of cut-outs for the bulk of the show and we acclimatise to that; pulling in anything more weighty seems ill-placed.

I can’t lie – this one isn’t really my bag. I can see the graft and appreciate the talent – and the general warm reception of the audience around me was clear. But for me, there’s so much fluff between plot points that I inevitably lost interest in places. But of course those fluffed-up plot points pave the way for a pretty constant parade of nostalgic hits delivered by a bouncy, gleefully energetic cast who deliver every pun and cheesy one-liner and cheeky dance sequence as if this is the best damn day of their lives to date. If you’re looking for a lively night out with a preference for spectacle over satisfying story, this one may be for you!

I Should Be So Lucky is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 30th December 2023 – more information and tickets can be found here.