Now! That’s What I Call a Musical

If I Could Turn Back Time

Now! That’s What I Call a Musical

by Pippa Evans

Royo and Universal Productions at the New Wimbledon Theatre until 12^th April, then on tour

Review by Thea Diamond

Anyone who grew up in the Eighties will remember the launch of the now ubiquitous compilation album which has reliably carried on and on, meaning that over forty years later we are now at album number 120, although presumably, no longer available on vinyl and cassette. Based on Pippa Evans’ book, this new musical marks this anniversary with direction and choreography by household name Craig Revel Horwood.

Set in Birmingham on two timelines, we are transported back and forth between 1989 when our two main protagonists are leaving school and dreaming of their futures, and in 2009 at the school reunion when we catch up on the highs and lows of the last twenty years.

Younger Gemma (Nikita Johal) and Younger April (Maia Hawkins) have two very different futures planned: while Gemma dreams of becoming a nurse and settling down with a husband and four children, April dreams of life as a Hollywood actress.

Fast forward twenty years, we learn that Gemma (Nina Wadia) is a well-respected and hard-working senior nurse, but is married to creepy womaniser Tim (Chris Grahamson) and is unable to have children. Gemma still lives near to her close-knit family who support her emotionally, while her loved-up parents (Poppy Tierney and Christopher Glover) try to cheer her up in her darkest moments by serving childhood favourites ‘Bird’s Eye Potato Waffles’ while singing the advert’s jingle.

April (Sam Bailey) has become incommunicado following her failure to succeed at her dreams. She assuming that Gemma is living her perfect life. She only enters the story at the very end of Act One, and this is a shame, as Sam Bailey could have been given more songs (and who can forget that spine tingling X Factor audition when her powerhouse voice first emerged from our TV screens).

Anyone hoping to revisit their youth and see their childhood stars live will be slightly disappointed, as the ‘fairy godmother’ appearance of guest stars (in our case 90’s Sonia) is only given one song and a few minutes on stage, plus a song in the obligatory mega-mix at the end of the show. Although we at the press night were lucky enough to also have Carol Decker and Sinitta briefly appear in the finale for one song each.

Headliners Nina Wadia and Sam Bailey both shine, are perfect for their roles and have great chemistry, and Kieran Cooper is particularly memorable as Younger Tim complete with his yuppie outlook on life. Despite stellar performances from Johal and Hawkins, some of the grown-ups struggle to maintain the Brummie accent, and having the story set here doesn’t really make that much sense, as with some of the story itself, costumes and songs. Some of the characters’ life choices don’t really seem to fit with their personalities; serious themes are flirted with superficially then brushed over without a second thought; costumes are just too generic and era-stereotypical without the nuance of what a particular character might have worn back in the day, and songs are randomly plonked in, with some fitting the story and others not. A case in point is Sonia’s Eurovision banger Better The Devil You Know, which really is the antithesis of the message at that point of the plot and what happens next.

Look out for Video Killed the Radio Star, Mickey and Gold for some quirky ensemble pastiches that’ll get you bopping in your seat. This isn’t a sophisticated or intricate piece of theatre, and as long as expectations are set accordingly, this is a fun night out. Set your cheesiness and nostalgia levels up to full blast, try to ignore the details and enjoy!

Thea Diamond, April 2025

Photography by Pamela Raith