Something For The Weekend

Never Forgotten - No need to wait for the summer stadium shows

Nervous, very nervous would be the best way to describe walking into the theatre to see Never Forget. Not because I thought it would be a bad show, more because I though that I might embarrass myself by joining in too much. Sadly I was so right, and I don't even like Take That.

At the moment, the West End seems full of musicals set to the tunes of formerly top selling bands, with We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia dominating both the box office and the headlines. Never Forget though may well beat them to the crown of the most fun show out there this year.

There is definitely a difference between shows that are funny and shows that are fun. This falls fully into the later category. It's the story of a group of friends who try to raise money by entering themselves into a tribute band contest. Imagine someone managed to condense a years worth of Coronation Street storylines into a 2 hour stage show and you have some idea of the plot of the show. If it can happen to these boys, then you better believe that it will. Only on stage (or possibly the East End of London) do you ever consider having business meetings in a strip club!

This is definitely one of those shows where the audience are up on their feet for most of the show. Don't worry, no matter how much you fight against it, you'll be joining them. Even when the entire stage turns into a giant shower!

Get your mates together, have a few drinks before hand and get down to The Savoy Theatre before this show closes. It really is that good.

Sean Collins

Never Forget is at the Savoy Theatre until November 15th 2008
Book tickets here

Piaf (Vaudeville Theatre, The Strand)

Drugs, dodgy men, a voice of painful, soul-aching honesty. Yup, 50-odd years before Amy Winehouse, the world was being wowed by the powerhouse vulnerability and gripping back story of Edith Piaf. Heat magazine wasn’t around in those days of course, so Piaf had the added allure of mystique. In light of our ongoing obsession with the supernaturally talented royally messing up their lives, Jamie Lloyd’s production of Pam Gems’ play Piaf, is indeed timely.

Having played to rapturous reviews at the Donmar Warehouse, and now settling into a stint at the Vaudeville, Piaf is a slight but never less than enthralling journey through the icon’s mysterious life. Even if you only have a passing knowledge of the songs and that distinctive rasping voice, Elena Roger’s performance as Piaf is worth the ticket price alone. Detailing Piaf’s ascent from Parisian street prostitute to diva addict, Roger is uncanny in her vocal impersonation and captivating in her portrayal of Piaf’s bedevilling unhappiness, reliance on men and electrifying personality.

Soutra Gilmore’s minimalist set is compellingly claustrophobic in the madness, only becoming serene when Piaf is in the spotlight and her voice takes flight. Gem’s script undoubtedly takes second billing to the acting on show here, although it does have its inspired moments, particularly when Piaf and Marlene Dietrich (Katherine Kingsley) are in tandem.

So what price on a Winehouse play of similar content in 50 years time? Perhaps knowing the whole story already renders it rather pointless.

Dan Pilkington

Buy Piaf tickets here from £26