The cast of 50 First Dates: The Musical. Photo by Pamela RaithEschewing an interval, the bright and breezy show delivers more than a dozen energised and bubbly numbers in an hour and 40 minutes, as the cast set about telling the tale of successful influencer Henry Roth (Josh St Clair), who never stays long enough in any one place to form more than ephemeral romantic attachments. That is, until he encounters lovely Lucy Whitmore (Georgina Castle), who is finishing reading Little Women and building a waffle house out of her breakfast at Ukelele Sue’s cafe bar.
This is Henry’s last stop before he is due to sign a sponsorship contract organised by his hardworking agent Sharon (Georgia Arron), who frequently pops up on calls to try and keep him on schedule. Meanwhile, his first day spent with Lucy has kindled the kind of romantic feelings that require him to delay his departure and rethink his Lothario instincts (“They’re Not You”). The following day, however, Lucy is back at the same cafe, finishing the last three pages of the same book, and denies any recollection of him. The locals, especially lovable Sandy (Chad Saint Louis), who waits tables having departed an unappreciative Disney Corporation [awkward cough], quickly bring Henry up to speed about the traffic accident which caused Lucy’s debilitating short term memory loss. The remainder of the show is a reverse-engineered Groundhog Day crammed with enough twee charm and sugary wholesomeness to give the most ardent dietician diabetes. But even a curmudgeonly reviewer would struggle to resist succumbing to this bundle of light and joy.
A few technical issues were evident on press night undoubtedly due to the restrictive depth of the playing area and wing space available at the venue. With a cast of nearly 20, such limitations have required a largely flat-packed set design by Fly Davis, which relies heavily on backdrop projections by George Reeve to ensure the overall visual effect avoids becoming overtly cluttered. Musical Director George Carter and his band of 5 further players keep matters swinging along at a decent lick, ensuring that the story never dawdles. Hopefully, the few volume issues (which encouraged occasional, excessive, and unnecessary belting from one particular cast member) will be ironed out during the run. Ultimately, the end result of everyone’s efforts is a thoroughly entertaining dash of sunny escapism, and who doesn’t crave that as we dive into a chilly autumn? On which note, now that we’re in late September, perhaps the theatre managers can give consideration to turning down the air conditioning chillers, which were working overtime.
Additional cast members: Aizaac Aruna, Zoë Ann Bown, Emily Oliver Boyd, Greg Stylianou Burns, Cole Dunn, Samuelle Durojaiye, Paul Kemble, John Marquez, Natasha O’Brien, Aiesha Naomi Pease, David Pendlebury, Martha Pothen, Ricky Rojas, Samantha Thomas and Charlie Toland.
The current run of 50 FIRST DATES THE MUSICAL is due to continue at The Other Palace until 16th November.
