REVIEW
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
present
THE BAND
Palace Theatre, Westcliff
Wed 8th October 2025 - Sat 11th October 2025
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
present
THE BAND
Palace Theatre, Westcliff
Wed 8th October 2025 - Sat 11th October 2025
The title ‘The Band’ isn’t really giving away too many clues as to what to expect from a musical. The only clues on the publicity inform you that the author is Tim Firth and the music is by Take That, so I was very intrigued to find out what was in store.
What was in store was an absolute treat! A fabulous staging of a touching story featuring the songs of Take That. The show was joyous and moving with lively and funny dialogue and dance numbers that made you want to get up and join in.
The story starts in early 1990’s Manchester and revolves around the friendship of a group of five teenage schoolgirls united in their fandom.
Top of the Pops is the weekly TV show that everyone who loved pop music was watching, and the girls are big fans of one particular boy band.
They manage to get tickets to a concert of their musical heroes and have to negotiate travel to and from the concert as well as having to keep it a secret from their parents. These roles (played by Eva Tobin, Crystalle Cox, Alice Gough, Danielle Griggs and Laura Seymour) are individually beautifully acted and sung and the audience witness great ensemble acting that characterises what it is to be young and full of energy and fun. When events take an unexpected and tragic turn, the reactions are moving and believable.
The Band members were made up of 5 superb singers (Matthew Wallace, Monty Irving, Declan Wright, James Cohen and James Boatwright) whose harmonies were gorgeous and whose dancing recreated those boyband moves. They appeared unexpectedly from out of the scenery early on and thereafter wove their magic into ensuing scenes; sometimes appearing as The Band at a concert and at other times part of the ensemble - dressed as characters one would find at particular locations or appropriate to a scene’s particular requirements. Watch out for a rather unexpected pose in Prague!
We meet four of the girls 25 years later when they reunite to travel to see their favourite boy band again in concert. The roles are convincingly played and again beautifully sung by Emma Woolner, Lianne Larthe, Jenny Peoples and Michelle Taylor. Their dialogue full of banter and there is real sense of friendship. The women have lost none of their sense of adventure or fun but we find out more about their lives in the intervening years.
This is a jukebox musical but it never feels like the songs have been crowbarred into the narrative. Rather, the songs which include 'Back For Good', 'The Flood', 'Never Forget', 'Rule the World' and 'Greatest Days', accentuate the emotions experienced by the characters and respond to the action. Plot and pop align and support the action and scenes.
The show is wonderfully choreographed and the simplicity and flexibility of the scenery allows the whole cast to fill the stage with their colour and movement.
You don’t need to be nostalgic for the 90’s or a Take That fan to enjoy this show. It stands as a slice of uplifting musical theatre. If you are a Take That fan, though, you won’t be disappointed! To use the titles of their songs – I hope I’ve ‘Said It All’ and ‘Get Ready For It’.
Review: Vanessa Osbourn
What was in store was an absolute treat! A fabulous staging of a touching story featuring the songs of Take That. The show was joyous and moving with lively and funny dialogue and dance numbers that made you want to get up and join in.
The story starts in early 1990’s Manchester and revolves around the friendship of a group of five teenage schoolgirls united in their fandom.
Top of the Pops is the weekly TV show that everyone who loved pop music was watching, and the girls are big fans of one particular boy band.
They manage to get tickets to a concert of their musical heroes and have to negotiate travel to and from the concert as well as having to keep it a secret from their parents. These roles (played by Eva Tobin, Crystalle Cox, Alice Gough, Danielle Griggs and Laura Seymour) are individually beautifully acted and sung and the audience witness great ensemble acting that characterises what it is to be young and full of energy and fun. When events take an unexpected and tragic turn, the reactions are moving and believable.
The Band members were made up of 5 superb singers (Matthew Wallace, Monty Irving, Declan Wright, James Cohen and James Boatwright) whose harmonies were gorgeous and whose dancing recreated those boyband moves. They appeared unexpectedly from out of the scenery early on and thereafter wove their magic into ensuing scenes; sometimes appearing as The Band at a concert and at other times part of the ensemble - dressed as characters one would find at particular locations or appropriate to a scene’s particular requirements. Watch out for a rather unexpected pose in Prague!
We meet four of the girls 25 years later when they reunite to travel to see their favourite boy band again in concert. The roles are convincingly played and again beautifully sung by Emma Woolner, Lianne Larthe, Jenny Peoples and Michelle Taylor. Their dialogue full of banter and there is real sense of friendship. The women have lost none of their sense of adventure or fun but we find out more about their lives in the intervening years.
This is a jukebox musical but it never feels like the songs have been crowbarred into the narrative. Rather, the songs which include 'Back For Good', 'The Flood', 'Never Forget', 'Rule the World' and 'Greatest Days', accentuate the emotions experienced by the characters and respond to the action. Plot and pop align and support the action and scenes.
The show is wonderfully choreographed and the simplicity and flexibility of the scenery allows the whole cast to fill the stage with their colour and movement.
You don’t need to be nostalgic for the 90’s or a Take That fan to enjoy this show. It stands as a slice of uplifting musical theatre. If you are a Take That fan, though, you won’t be disappointed! To use the titles of their songs – I hope I’ve ‘Said It All’ and ‘Get Ready For It’.
Review: Vanessa Osbourn
It’s 1992 and for five 16 year-old girls, ‘the band’ is everything. 25 years later, the group of girls, who were once inseparable, reunite in Prague to see their heartthrobs one last time, and try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting the boy band whose music became the soundtrack to their lives.
The Band features the music of Take That, one of Britain’s most successful boy bands of all time. Songs include: Never Forget, Back For Good, A Million Love Songs, Greatest Day, The Flood, Flight My Fire, Shine and Rule The World.
Brought to life by the Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society, this feel-good production will leave you singing, dancing and reminiscing long after the curtain falls.
The Band features the music of Take That, one of Britain’s most successful boy bands of all time. Songs include: Never Forget, Back For Good, A Million Love Songs, Greatest Day, The Flood, Flight My Fire, Shine and Rule The World.
Brought to life by the Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society, this feel-good production will leave you singing, dancing and reminiscing long after the curtain falls.
CURTAIN CALL
Michelle Taylor, Jenny Peoples, Emma Woolner, and Lianne Larthe play the older girls, Zoe, Claire, Rachel and Heather respectively and Southend Theatre Scene went along to one of their rehearsals to find out a little bit more about the production!
What first drew you to audition for The Band, and how did you feel when you were cast in your role?
Jenny: Danielle and Janice worked together to produce LODS' production of The Little Mermaid (2023) so I knew they would treat The Band with the right level of love and empathy that the story deserves. When I was cast as Claire, I was excited to have the chance to show the two sides to her personality and prayed that neither side would involve having to wear a swimming costume!
Emma: For sentimental reasons and complete nostalgia. I was that Mancunian teenager in the 90s screaming for Take That! I was at the 1993 concert that's referenced in the show and I’m still best friends with the girls from school that were (still are) as obsessed with Take That as me. Events in the show played out in real live for my group of friends so this is a very poignant show for me to be part of. I'm doing this for them.
Lianne: I grew up with Take That. Loved the Band and knew every word to every song. So when I heard there was a show celebrating their music, whilst telling such a beautiful story about friendship….I was in!! When I got cast as Heather, I was over the moon. She’s such a great character.
Michelle: Being a Take that fan since a teenager I knew I would love the music, then I got to read the script and the story was so beautiful I knew I wanted to be a part of this beautiful heartfelt story. I was over the moon when I was cast as Zoe she is such a lovely character
Can you describe your character in three words?
Jenny: hurting, healing, loving
Emma: Kind, resilient , thoughtful
Lianne: Confident, Fun, Unapologetic
Michelle: Clever, naive, organised
How would you describe your relationship with the younger version of your character? Has it changed the way you think about your role?
Jenny: Younger Claire is driven, funny and sensitive. Older Claire is the same, it's just she has a few battle scars. It really helped to be able to watch Alice perform as Younger Claire so I could ensure to use gestures or facial expressions to add to the character's believability as being the older version.
Emma: I think older Rachel would love to hug her younger self and tell her to be brave and that all will be ok. I feel the two characters are very connected throughout the show.
Lianne: Younger Heather was all about the boys and the fun. Older Heather still has that spark, but she’s grown into herself and found love in a very different way. It’s really interesting looking at how the same person can change so much but still keep the same heart.
Michelle: During the rehearsal period we didn’t actually spend anytime with our younger selves until we started running the show but I was stunned at how much me and Griggsy were the same with our mannerisms and how we delivered our lines; all the girls' pairing has been spot on but the script is so well written that the characters come from the writing.
What’s been the most enjoyable part of rehearsals so far?
Jenny: The extra read throughs with the girls outside of the rehearsal room! And buying the most dopamine-inducing-cat-related clothes and accessories for Claire.
Emma: Time with the girls- we are lucky to have such a great relationship all of us- lots and lots of laughing!
Lianne: The laughter. This show is such an emotional rollercoaster, but in rehearsals we’ve laughed and cried so much, and that bond with the cast feels just like the friendship in the story.
Michelle: When we put the show together as we have all rehearsed separately putting it all together and watching the story evolve was very touching and emotional for everyone.
What’s been the biggest challenge in preparing for this role?
Jenny: Realising how similar I am to Claire...
Emma: Aspects which have mirrored events in my own life, especially around the strength you get from friendship.
Lianne: Trying not blubber throughout rehearsals and stopping myself from becoming a full-on fangirl in the middle of a scene and singing along to every number.
Michelle: Probably making sure the connection with our younger selves continues and trying not to cry like a baby in some of our scenes, it’s been challenging but us older girls have a great off stage bond as well as on which has been amazing. We’re going to need therapy after this ends.
Which Take That song featured in the show is your absolute favourite to perform, and why?
Jenny: Back For Good because it's the first time the audience see the characters in their younger and older versions with Debbie. It's a pivotal part of the show: reminding them of the journeys of the characters from young girls to "mature" adults. It also stands as a reminder that your plans for life don't always follow the path you thought they might and that's ok.
Emma: I love Shine- uplifting and you start to see my character grow.
Lianne: For me, it has to be Rule the World. I’ll never forget being at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics and seeing Take That perform it, despite Gary Barlow just going through a tragic loss of his son. Having been through something similar myself, I really relate to that moment and it makes it more powerful and personal to me.
Michelle: I love doing Back for Good it’s so touching in so many ways that the audience can relate to as well, but I love watching the cast do Relight My Fire it’s such a great number.
Is there a particular scene or moment in the show that you’re most excited for the audience to see?
Jenny: Probably the boys' introduction to the stage. I'm saying nothing.
Emma: Back for Good.
Lianne: Yes, the moments when the friends reunite after years apart. There’s something so real and raw about those scenes, and I think everyone will recognise a bit of their own friendships in them.
Michelle: All of it, the story is just beautiful from beginning to end and everyone can relate to this show in different ways.
Has being in The Band brought back any memories of growing up with music, concerts, or favourite bands of your own?
Jenny: Absolutely. Don't tell anyone, but I was more of a Boyzone and Westlife fan. I was convinced, for many years, that I was going to marry Kian Egan and I was definitely more like Zoe: cried my eyes out throughout any Westlife concert I went to!
Emma: Absolutely! The excitement on a Thursday night waiting to watch Top of the Pops for one!
Lianne: Oh yes! I remember singing Take That songs into my hairbrush, full concert performance. And I may or may not still do it sometimes now.
Michelle: I was a big Take That fan and remember seeing them in a under 18’s club in Southend before they were big time ( showing my age now )
If your character had a theme song (outside of Take That!), what would it be?
Jenny: Tears of a Clown, The Miracles (1967)
Emma: Fighter – Christina Aguilera (turning pain into strength)
Lianne: For Heather….Probably I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry.
Michelle: Let’s Hear it for the Boy(s) - Denise Williams
What’s something funny or unexpected that’s happened during rehearsals?
Jenny: The close up photos that the older girls take of the boys as statues have created many a funny moment because they can't move!
Emma: Not funny but the emotional responses from the cast whilst watching some of the scenes have been unexpected - in a good way!
Lianne: In one scene, I share photos of my daughter with the girls. I made it my mission to find the most hilarious pictures to make them laugh. Not sure I could do it in the actual show though, as I don’t think we could hold it together.
Michelle: Very unexpectedly 2 members of the band were in a wheel chair and on crutches at the beginning of the rehearsal period so we named them Break That.
Finally, what do you hope audiences will take away from seeing The Band?
Jenny: That friendships are one of life's enduring gifts. Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down (O. Winfrey). We hope this show reminds you of the person or people that would ride a bus into Southend singing Relight at the top of their voices with you.
Emma: The importance of friendship.
Lianne: That friendships matter. That life takes you on twists and turns, but the people who knew you “back when” are always part of who you are. And of course, that Take That’s music is still as magical as ever.
Michelle: That the power of friendship can be unbreakable no matter the circumstances.
Jenny: Danielle and Janice worked together to produce LODS' production of The Little Mermaid (2023) so I knew they would treat The Band with the right level of love and empathy that the story deserves. When I was cast as Claire, I was excited to have the chance to show the two sides to her personality and prayed that neither side would involve having to wear a swimming costume!
Emma: For sentimental reasons and complete nostalgia. I was that Mancunian teenager in the 90s screaming for Take That! I was at the 1993 concert that's referenced in the show and I’m still best friends with the girls from school that were (still are) as obsessed with Take That as me. Events in the show played out in real live for my group of friends so this is a very poignant show for me to be part of. I'm doing this for them.
Lianne: I grew up with Take That. Loved the Band and knew every word to every song. So when I heard there was a show celebrating their music, whilst telling such a beautiful story about friendship….I was in!! When I got cast as Heather, I was over the moon. She’s such a great character.
Michelle: Being a Take that fan since a teenager I knew I would love the music, then I got to read the script and the story was so beautiful I knew I wanted to be a part of this beautiful heartfelt story. I was over the moon when I was cast as Zoe she is such a lovely character
Can you describe your character in three words?
Jenny: hurting, healing, loving
Emma: Kind, resilient , thoughtful
Lianne: Confident, Fun, Unapologetic
Michelle: Clever, naive, organised
How would you describe your relationship with the younger version of your character? Has it changed the way you think about your role?
Jenny: Younger Claire is driven, funny and sensitive. Older Claire is the same, it's just she has a few battle scars. It really helped to be able to watch Alice perform as Younger Claire so I could ensure to use gestures or facial expressions to add to the character's believability as being the older version.
Emma: I think older Rachel would love to hug her younger self and tell her to be brave and that all will be ok. I feel the two characters are very connected throughout the show.
Lianne: Younger Heather was all about the boys and the fun. Older Heather still has that spark, but she’s grown into herself and found love in a very different way. It’s really interesting looking at how the same person can change so much but still keep the same heart.
Michelle: During the rehearsal period we didn’t actually spend anytime with our younger selves until we started running the show but I was stunned at how much me and Griggsy were the same with our mannerisms and how we delivered our lines; all the girls' pairing has been spot on but the script is so well written that the characters come from the writing.
What’s been the most enjoyable part of rehearsals so far?
Jenny: The extra read throughs with the girls outside of the rehearsal room! And buying the most dopamine-inducing-cat-related clothes and accessories for Claire.
Emma: Time with the girls- we are lucky to have such a great relationship all of us- lots and lots of laughing!
Lianne: The laughter. This show is such an emotional rollercoaster, but in rehearsals we’ve laughed and cried so much, and that bond with the cast feels just like the friendship in the story.
Michelle: When we put the show together as we have all rehearsed separately putting it all together and watching the story evolve was very touching and emotional for everyone.
What’s been the biggest challenge in preparing for this role?
Jenny: Realising how similar I am to Claire...
Emma: Aspects which have mirrored events in my own life, especially around the strength you get from friendship.
Lianne: Trying not blubber throughout rehearsals and stopping myself from becoming a full-on fangirl in the middle of a scene and singing along to every number.
Michelle: Probably making sure the connection with our younger selves continues and trying not to cry like a baby in some of our scenes, it’s been challenging but us older girls have a great off stage bond as well as on which has been amazing. We’re going to need therapy after this ends.
Which Take That song featured in the show is your absolute favourite to perform, and why?
Jenny: Back For Good because it's the first time the audience see the characters in their younger and older versions with Debbie. It's a pivotal part of the show: reminding them of the journeys of the characters from young girls to "mature" adults. It also stands as a reminder that your plans for life don't always follow the path you thought they might and that's ok.
Emma: I love Shine- uplifting and you start to see my character grow.
Lianne: For me, it has to be Rule the World. I’ll never forget being at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics and seeing Take That perform it, despite Gary Barlow just going through a tragic loss of his son. Having been through something similar myself, I really relate to that moment and it makes it more powerful and personal to me.
Michelle: I love doing Back for Good it’s so touching in so many ways that the audience can relate to as well, but I love watching the cast do Relight My Fire it’s such a great number.
Is there a particular scene or moment in the show that you’re most excited for the audience to see?
Jenny: Probably the boys' introduction to the stage. I'm saying nothing.
Emma: Back for Good.
Lianne: Yes, the moments when the friends reunite after years apart. There’s something so real and raw about those scenes, and I think everyone will recognise a bit of their own friendships in them.
Michelle: All of it, the story is just beautiful from beginning to end and everyone can relate to this show in different ways.
Has being in The Band brought back any memories of growing up with music, concerts, or favourite bands of your own?
Jenny: Absolutely. Don't tell anyone, but I was more of a Boyzone and Westlife fan. I was convinced, for many years, that I was going to marry Kian Egan and I was definitely more like Zoe: cried my eyes out throughout any Westlife concert I went to!
Emma: Absolutely! The excitement on a Thursday night waiting to watch Top of the Pops for one!
Lianne: Oh yes! I remember singing Take That songs into my hairbrush, full concert performance. And I may or may not still do it sometimes now.
Michelle: I was a big Take That fan and remember seeing them in a under 18’s club in Southend before they were big time ( showing my age now )
If your character had a theme song (outside of Take That!), what would it be?
Jenny: Tears of a Clown, The Miracles (1967)
Emma: Fighter – Christina Aguilera (turning pain into strength)
Lianne: For Heather….Probably I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry.
Michelle: Let’s Hear it for the Boy(s) - Denise Williams
What’s something funny or unexpected that’s happened during rehearsals?
Jenny: The close up photos that the older girls take of the boys as statues have created many a funny moment because they can't move!
Emma: Not funny but the emotional responses from the cast whilst watching some of the scenes have been unexpected - in a good way!
Lianne: In one scene, I share photos of my daughter with the girls. I made it my mission to find the most hilarious pictures to make them laugh. Not sure I could do it in the actual show though, as I don’t think we could hold it together.
Michelle: Very unexpectedly 2 members of the band were in a wheel chair and on crutches at the beginning of the rehearsal period so we named them Break That.
Finally, what do you hope audiences will take away from seeing The Band?
Jenny: That friendships are one of life's enduring gifts. Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down (O. Winfrey). We hope this show reminds you of the person or people that would ride a bus into Southend singing Relight at the top of their voices with you.
Emma: The importance of friendship.
Lianne: That friendships matter. That life takes you on twists and turns, but the people who knew you “back when” are always part of who you are. And of course, that Take That’s music is still as magical as ever.
Michelle: That the power of friendship can be unbreakable no matter the circumstances.