REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
THE CHER SHOW
16-20 AUGUST 2022
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
THE CHER SHOW
16-20 AUGUST 2022
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
First of all, just to make it clear, this is a musical based on the life and career of Cher. Cher is not appearing at Southend or any of the other venues on the UK Tour of The Cher Show. I say this because on the Sunderland leg of the tour, a couple actually put in a complaint because they thought they were going to see the real Cher - the price of the ticket should have been a big enough clue but anyhow, just putting it out there to avoid disappointment.
What isn't disappointing is the scale of production on this show. The stage is set as if we are backstage at a Cher gig with rows and rows of clothes on hangers and flanked either side by what must be 50 or so of instantly recognisable wigs of which Cher has worn throughout a career that began in the 1960s. There's a great display of lighting effects to kick off the show.
A lot of Cher's life has been documented by the press but there are snippets in this documentary style musical that will maybe come as a surprise to some. The first thing the audience have to get their heads around is that there are actually three Chers in this show. Babe played by Mille O'Connell takes us through her childhood history and up to when she meets future husband, Sonny. Then we have Danielle Steers as Lady, who continues the tale up to when Cher is in her, shall we say, more mature era, where Debbie Kurup takes over as Star.
All three have taken on the voice, vocals, mannerisms and intonations of the real life Cher in the most amazing way. It did take me a little while to get used to it, especially when Babe is tearing around the stage on her tricycle playing Cher as a small child with the deepest of voices, opening up to her mother that she's being bullied by the kids at school for looking different; they make fun of the colour of her skin, hair and clothes. The deep voice is slightly comical for a serious issue but you just have to roll with it.
Each of the three Chers have their own qualities to bring to the role. Millie O'Connell plays the shy, ditzy, cute Cher and really shows her vulnerability nicely; Danielle Steers has the opportunity to show off some fabulous vocals not least when she sings Song for the Lonely providing an incredible vocal range and Debbie Kurup gets to play current Cher in all her fabulous sassiness. All three, if you close your eyes, have mastered Cher's vocals brilliantly.
The problem for me with this show is the narrative which really lacks any real compassion. It's almost as if there's been so much time spent being Cher, that there's been no time left over to feel Cher and get into the raw emotions of the moments that fuelled her passion to become an independent and successful women in a man's world. It's a rather glossed over storyline with the obvious dramas being highlighted with her breakup from Sonny, being broke and having to start over, her relationships with Greg Allman and Rob Camilletti. If we didn't know it already, we certainly discover just how much grit Cher had in order to succeed and there's enough comedy intertwined to show us that Cher did all this with a cracking sense of humour. When Allman accuses her not doing anything to excess, because she doesn't drink or smoke or take drugs, she responds in a flash, "Have you seen my costumes."
The musical is packed with 35 of her biggest hits, including If I Could Turn Back Time’, I Got You Babe’, Strong Enough, The Shoop Shoop Song and Believe and if you can get past the cheesy dialogue, it's a great showcase of Cher's musical talents. The scantily clad Bob Mackie costumes that Cher is famous for also feature and the girls look stunning in them. The choreography is probably the best I've seen in a musical of late and this is hardly surprising having Arlene Phillips directing and Strictly's Oti Mabuse on board to take on the challenge. The ensemble are fabulous here and do a great job in supporting roles too.
Despite the theatre being half full on opening night, the whoops and cheers from the audience were clearly palpable and there was obviously a huge Cher fanbase in the house. As far as I know, unlike that Sunderland couple, no-one was expecting the real Cher to be here in Southend this week, however, you do get three for a lot less than the price of one, something seemingly very much appreciated by the Southend audience, who were up on their feet for a rousing encore of If I Could Turn Back Time.
The show continues all this week. For tickets www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
Website: www.cheronstage.com
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @TheCherShowUK
What isn't disappointing is the scale of production on this show. The stage is set as if we are backstage at a Cher gig with rows and rows of clothes on hangers and flanked either side by what must be 50 or so of instantly recognisable wigs of which Cher has worn throughout a career that began in the 1960s. There's a great display of lighting effects to kick off the show.
A lot of Cher's life has been documented by the press but there are snippets in this documentary style musical that will maybe come as a surprise to some. The first thing the audience have to get their heads around is that there are actually three Chers in this show. Babe played by Mille O'Connell takes us through her childhood history and up to when she meets future husband, Sonny. Then we have Danielle Steers as Lady, who continues the tale up to when Cher is in her, shall we say, more mature era, where Debbie Kurup takes over as Star.
All three have taken on the voice, vocals, mannerisms and intonations of the real life Cher in the most amazing way. It did take me a little while to get used to it, especially when Babe is tearing around the stage on her tricycle playing Cher as a small child with the deepest of voices, opening up to her mother that she's being bullied by the kids at school for looking different; they make fun of the colour of her skin, hair and clothes. The deep voice is slightly comical for a serious issue but you just have to roll with it.
Each of the three Chers have their own qualities to bring to the role. Millie O'Connell plays the shy, ditzy, cute Cher and really shows her vulnerability nicely; Danielle Steers has the opportunity to show off some fabulous vocals not least when she sings Song for the Lonely providing an incredible vocal range and Debbie Kurup gets to play current Cher in all her fabulous sassiness. All three, if you close your eyes, have mastered Cher's vocals brilliantly.
The problem for me with this show is the narrative which really lacks any real compassion. It's almost as if there's been so much time spent being Cher, that there's been no time left over to feel Cher and get into the raw emotions of the moments that fuelled her passion to become an independent and successful women in a man's world. It's a rather glossed over storyline with the obvious dramas being highlighted with her breakup from Sonny, being broke and having to start over, her relationships with Greg Allman and Rob Camilletti. If we didn't know it already, we certainly discover just how much grit Cher had in order to succeed and there's enough comedy intertwined to show us that Cher did all this with a cracking sense of humour. When Allman accuses her not doing anything to excess, because she doesn't drink or smoke or take drugs, she responds in a flash, "Have you seen my costumes."
The musical is packed with 35 of her biggest hits, including If I Could Turn Back Time’, I Got You Babe’, Strong Enough, The Shoop Shoop Song and Believe and if you can get past the cheesy dialogue, it's a great showcase of Cher's musical talents. The scantily clad Bob Mackie costumes that Cher is famous for also feature and the girls look stunning in them. The choreography is probably the best I've seen in a musical of late and this is hardly surprising having Arlene Phillips directing and Strictly's Oti Mabuse on board to take on the challenge. The ensemble are fabulous here and do a great job in supporting roles too.
Despite the theatre being half full on opening night, the whoops and cheers from the audience were clearly palpable and there was obviously a huge Cher fanbase in the house. As far as I know, unlike that Sunderland couple, no-one was expecting the real Cher to be here in Southend this week, however, you do get three for a lot less than the price of one, something seemingly very much appreciated by the Southend audience, who were up on their feet for a rousing encore of If I Could Turn Back Time.
The show continues all this week. For tickets www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk
Website: www.cheronstage.com
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @TheCherShowUK
“All of us invent ourselves.
Some of us just have more imagination than others.”
Some of us just have more imagination than others.”
INTERVIEW WITH OTI MABUSE
Here, Cher and Everywhere
A bundle of zesty energy, Oti Mabuse may be on a rare day off when we meet but she’s still operating at warp speed. But then the double Strictly Glitterball champion has good reason to be so happy and animated.
Currently revving up for the hotly anticipated brand new production of The Cher Show, directed by national dance treasure Arlene Phillips and with a book by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Rick Elice (of Jersey Boys fame), Oti will be choreographing the show, which will tour until April 2023.
Telling the story of the Armenian American truck driver’s shy daughter who rose to global stardom, The Cher Show charts superstar Cher’s meteoric rise to fame. And of course there is a cracking soundtrack. Packed with 35 of her biggest hits, it’s part show and part party.
“It’s the story that so many women connect with, but it’s also the songs and the clothes. It will be epic!” beams Oti, adding: “It has to be bigger than anything because it’s her; it has to live up to Cher’s iconic status. She has been such an inspiration to so many people and this musical is going to be a celebration of everything people love about her.”
And so it’s down to Oti to weave that star quality into the choreography - a challenge that she is absolutely thrilled with.
“What I love about choreography is that, when I’m dancing, I am only part of the picture, but when you are choreographing, there are so many elements that are so exciting. Creating a storyline through dance means you go through the smallest details - is there a connection or a secret between the dancers that we need the audience to share? What props are there? What is the dancer at the back of the stage doing?”
As for the music, Oti’s exuberance ratchets up yet another notch when we start talking about Cher’s hits.
“I grew up with a family that always listened to music and we all loved Cher’s music. Her songs have stories behind them and I LOVE choreography that has a story behind it! It has an intention you can then give to the movement. It makes everyone in the theatre part of the story. And everyone connects to Cher’s music because it is timeless. SHE is timeless!
“The show starts from the beginning of her life and comes to present day, so if you don’t know Cher’s story you will learn it. There are so many great songs that will make people feel uplifted too. And the show is going to almost every theatre in the country because Cher is an international phenomenon!”
But while she won’t be on the road with The Cher Show, Oti will be touring with her own dance production, I Am Here.
“This is very exciting because it’s my first official tour. It’s such an honour. It’s going to be loud, funny and truthful, and people will meet the real me. We have a live band, great music and a cast of great dancers.
“I love touring and the audiences make it for me. People have paid to come and be entertained and it’s lovely to do that; to create a memorable moment in their lives.”
And, it seems, Oti relishes the educational aspect of touring life.
“I love learning and when you tour in the UK you learn crazy things like whether you put cream or jam on a scone first! I love hearing the different accents and the different way people greet each other depending where you are.”
With an infectious chuckle she adds: “I think touring is the best way to understand human beings!”
“I love playing theatres in the South. As well as being lovely and welcoming venues, if it’s a nice day you can go to the beach before the show!”
But even with two stage shows hitting the road, human dynamo Oti is still thinking ahead.
“I have a lot of things that I want to achieve in life and I am lucky that my parents raised me to be driven and ambitious. But my goals come from a good place and I really enjoy the journey of pursuing my dreams. Anyone who hires me knows that I will be the hardest working person in the place. For instance, there were very few books about dancing for children, so I wrote one.”
And that’s by no means all. Born in South Africa in 1990, Oti has been dancing since childhood. From making a name for herself in South Africa as the undefeated eight-time South African Latin American champion, she also managed to train as a Civil Engineer while competing in dance competitions. Winning awards and championships across Europe, TV soon beckoned and Oti joined the German version of Strictly Come Dancing. After two successful seasons, she joined the original BBC version of the show. Winning the coveted trophy in 2019 with actor Kelvin Fletcher, the following year Oti became the first Strictly Pro ever to win the Glitterball two consecutive years, alongside her partner Bill Bailey. TV and theatre work continues to flood in, which she juggles with running The Oti Mabuse Dance Studio, but, I ask, was performing always the dream?
“I wanted to go into Musical Theatre straight from High School, but my mum said I should be first academic and then pursue my passions. Since she was paying the bills, I didn’t have much choice!”
Reflective for a moment, she adds: “Engineering and dance are both about problem solving and precision and I love them both equally. I’d love to do a TV show about it.”
A TV show about engineering told through the medium of dance? If anyone can pull that off then it’s Oti. Stand by for the Reinforced Concrete Rumba…
A bundle of zesty energy, Oti Mabuse may be on a rare day off when we meet but she’s still operating at warp speed. But then the double Strictly Glitterball champion has good reason to be so happy and animated.
Currently revving up for the hotly anticipated brand new production of The Cher Show, directed by national dance treasure Arlene Phillips and with a book by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Rick Elice (of Jersey Boys fame), Oti will be choreographing the show, which will tour until April 2023.
Telling the story of the Armenian American truck driver’s shy daughter who rose to global stardom, The Cher Show charts superstar Cher’s meteoric rise to fame. And of course there is a cracking soundtrack. Packed with 35 of her biggest hits, it’s part show and part party.
“It’s the story that so many women connect with, but it’s also the songs and the clothes. It will be epic!” beams Oti, adding: “It has to be bigger than anything because it’s her; it has to live up to Cher’s iconic status. She has been such an inspiration to so many people and this musical is going to be a celebration of everything people love about her.”
And so it’s down to Oti to weave that star quality into the choreography - a challenge that she is absolutely thrilled with.
“What I love about choreography is that, when I’m dancing, I am only part of the picture, but when you are choreographing, there are so many elements that are so exciting. Creating a storyline through dance means you go through the smallest details - is there a connection or a secret between the dancers that we need the audience to share? What props are there? What is the dancer at the back of the stage doing?”
As for the music, Oti’s exuberance ratchets up yet another notch when we start talking about Cher’s hits.
“I grew up with a family that always listened to music and we all loved Cher’s music. Her songs have stories behind them and I LOVE choreography that has a story behind it! It has an intention you can then give to the movement. It makes everyone in the theatre part of the story. And everyone connects to Cher’s music because it is timeless. SHE is timeless!
“The show starts from the beginning of her life and comes to present day, so if you don’t know Cher’s story you will learn it. There are so many great songs that will make people feel uplifted too. And the show is going to almost every theatre in the country because Cher is an international phenomenon!”
But while she won’t be on the road with The Cher Show, Oti will be touring with her own dance production, I Am Here.
“This is very exciting because it’s my first official tour. It’s such an honour. It’s going to be loud, funny and truthful, and people will meet the real me. We have a live band, great music and a cast of great dancers.
“I love touring and the audiences make it for me. People have paid to come and be entertained and it’s lovely to do that; to create a memorable moment in their lives.”
And, it seems, Oti relishes the educational aspect of touring life.
“I love learning and when you tour in the UK you learn crazy things like whether you put cream or jam on a scone first! I love hearing the different accents and the different way people greet each other depending where you are.”
With an infectious chuckle she adds: “I think touring is the best way to understand human beings!”
“I love playing theatres in the South. As well as being lovely and welcoming venues, if it’s a nice day you can go to the beach before the show!”
But even with two stage shows hitting the road, human dynamo Oti is still thinking ahead.
“I have a lot of things that I want to achieve in life and I am lucky that my parents raised me to be driven and ambitious. But my goals come from a good place and I really enjoy the journey of pursuing my dreams. Anyone who hires me knows that I will be the hardest working person in the place. For instance, there were very few books about dancing for children, so I wrote one.”
And that’s by no means all. Born in South Africa in 1990, Oti has been dancing since childhood. From making a name for herself in South Africa as the undefeated eight-time South African Latin American champion, she also managed to train as a Civil Engineer while competing in dance competitions. Winning awards and championships across Europe, TV soon beckoned and Oti joined the German version of Strictly Come Dancing. After two successful seasons, she joined the original BBC version of the show. Winning the coveted trophy in 2019 with actor Kelvin Fletcher, the following year Oti became the first Strictly Pro ever to win the Glitterball two consecutive years, alongside her partner Bill Bailey. TV and theatre work continues to flood in, which she juggles with running The Oti Mabuse Dance Studio, but, I ask, was performing always the dream?
“I wanted to go into Musical Theatre straight from High School, but my mum said I should be first academic and then pursue my passions. Since she was paying the bills, I didn’t have much choice!”
Reflective for a moment, she adds: “Engineering and dance are both about problem solving and precision and I love them both equally. I’d love to do a TV show about it.”
A TV show about engineering told through the medium of dance? If anyone can pull that off then it’s Oti. Stand by for the Reinforced Concrete Rumba…
TOUR SCHEDULE
16 – 20 August Southend Cliffs Pavilion 0343 310 0030
www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk on sale
23 – 27 August Cardiff New Theatre 07925 659065
www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk on sale
30 August - 3 September Stoke Regent Theatre 0844 871 7615* www.atgtickets.com /venues/regent-theatre on sale
6 - 10 September Woking New Victoria Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre on sale
13 – 17 September Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 01242 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk on sale
20 – 24 September Dartford Orchard Theatre 01322 220000
orchardtheatre.co.uk on sale
27 September - 1 October Glasgow King’s Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre on sale
4 – 8 October Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre
aberdeenperformingarts.com on sale
11 – 15 October Edinburgh Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000
www.capitaltheatres.com on sale
18 – 22 October Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 01902 429212
www.grandtheatre.co.uk on sale
25 – 29 October Bradford The Alhambra Theatre 01274 432000
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatre on sale
1 - 12 November Brighton Theatre Royal 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton on sale
15 - 19 November York Grand Opera House 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york on sale
22 – 26 November Ipswich Regent Theatre
ipswichtheatres.co.uk on sale
3 - 7 January 2023 Southampton Mayflower Theatre 02380 711811
www.mayflower.org.uk on sale
10 – 14 January Northampton Royal & Derngate 01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk on sale
17 - 21 January Liverpool Empire Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire on sale
24 - 28 January Bristol The Hippodrome 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome on sale
31 January - 4 February Wimbledon New Wimbledon Theatre 0844 871 7615* www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre on sale
7 – 11 February Darlington Hippodrome 01325 405405
www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk on sale
14 - 18 February Torquay Princess Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay on sale
21 - 25 February Oxford New Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford on sale
28 February – 4 March Llandudno Venue Cymru 01492 872000
www.venuecymru.co.uk on sale
7 – 11 March Norwich Theatre Royal 01603 630 000
norwichtheatre.org on sale soon
14 – 18 March Carlisle The Sands Centre 0333 33 55055
www.thesandscentre.co.uk on sale
Further dates to be announced
16 – 20 August Southend Cliffs Pavilion 0343 310 0030
www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk on sale
23 – 27 August Cardiff New Theatre 07925 659065
www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk on sale
30 August - 3 September Stoke Regent Theatre 0844 871 7615* www.atgtickets.com /venues/regent-theatre on sale
6 - 10 September Woking New Victoria Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre on sale
13 – 17 September Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 01242 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk on sale
20 – 24 September Dartford Orchard Theatre 01322 220000
orchardtheatre.co.uk on sale
27 September - 1 October Glasgow King’s Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre on sale
4 – 8 October Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre
aberdeenperformingarts.com on sale
11 – 15 October Edinburgh Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000
www.capitaltheatres.com on sale
18 – 22 October Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 01902 429212
www.grandtheatre.co.uk on sale
25 – 29 October Bradford The Alhambra Theatre 01274 432000
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatre on sale
1 - 12 November Brighton Theatre Royal 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton on sale
15 - 19 November York Grand Opera House 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york on sale
22 – 26 November Ipswich Regent Theatre
ipswichtheatres.co.uk on sale
3 - 7 January 2023 Southampton Mayflower Theatre 02380 711811
www.mayflower.org.uk on sale
10 – 14 January Northampton Royal & Derngate 01604 624811 www.royalandderngate.co.uk on sale
17 - 21 January Liverpool Empire Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire on sale
24 - 28 January Bristol The Hippodrome 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome on sale
31 January - 4 February Wimbledon New Wimbledon Theatre 0844 871 7615* www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre on sale
7 – 11 February Darlington Hippodrome 01325 405405
www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk on sale
14 - 18 February Torquay Princess Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay on sale
21 - 25 February Oxford New Theatre 0844 871 7615*
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford on sale
28 February – 4 March Llandudno Venue Cymru 01492 872000
www.venuecymru.co.uk on sale
7 – 11 March Norwich Theatre Royal 01603 630 000
norwichtheatre.org on sale soon
14 – 18 March Carlisle The Sands Centre 0333 33 55055
www.thesandscentre.co.uk on sale
Further dates to be announced