Review: Never Forget at the Liverpool Empire

Dec 3 2009 Chester Chronicle

NEVER FORGET/Empire Theatre, Liverpool, until December 5

REVIEW/by Peggy Woodcock

TAKE That, a pop phenomenon which seems to have spawned a stage triumph.

So while Gary Barlow and the boys enjoy their comeback, so Never Forget, the musical with the songs of Take That, goes from strength to strength.

The latest touring production was at the Liverpool Empire on Wednesday and, at this third time of seeing, I was pleased to find it fresher, sharper, funnier. I gave it full approval, as did the rest of the audience, a packed house that rose as one to enjoy the mini concert finale.

Liverpool audiences are enthusiastic ones and there was obvious warmth, affection and familiarity here, both with the music and the show. Take That songs like Could It Be Magic, Never Forget, It |Only Takes a Minute, Back for Good and, of course, Relight My Fire, have a life of their own and this cast and this audience made them their own on this night.

The musical uses a clumsy but effective device, a storyline revolving around a talent competition to find the champion tribute band. So a gallant five are rounded up to become Take That pretenders and we follow their journey to the title.

They did a good job, as much in exploiting the humour of both story and characters as in singing. There was excellent timing, the courage, on a big stage, to stretch the pause, play the laughs.

Inevitably it was the Robbie figure, Jake Turner, that dominated and it was Chester-born Adam C.Booth who triumphed in the role. Booth, trained at the Chriska Stage School in Ellesmere Port, was in the original West End cast and adds this to an impressive list of stage credits.

Scott Garnham's crazy Jose Reize and Tom Bradley's geeky Adrian Banks deserve mention while

Mark Willshire, as Ash Sherwood, the Gary Barlow figure, did full justice to the songs.

The show had live on-stage music, eye-boggling lighting and great dance routines with fast, edgy choreography performed by a young full-out ensemble. Aimie Atkinson, as Chloe, Ash's girlfriend, and Penelope Woodman, as Babs, record producer, were right out in front here.