Now That’s What I Call A Fab New Show

Posted 9th October 2024

‘Dust off your spandex, crimp your hair and get ready to press play on the rest of your life,’ by taking a ticket for Now That’s What I Call A Musical, which will be raising the volume at MK Theatre this November.

This new to the stage delivery celebrates 40 years of the iconic, chart-topping compilation Now albums, with a soundtrack including goodies like Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Tainted Love.

‘It’s Birmingham, 1989. Gemma and April, two school friends, are busy with very important business – planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley! Fast forward to Birmingham 2009, and they’re confronted with their worst nightmare: the school reunion…!

‘As friends reunite, drama unfolds, and old flames reappear…’
This show is actress Nina Wadia’s debut in musical theatre: “And I’m genuinely terrified,” she admitted, “But I love challenges in my career and I’ve tried every genre, I think, apart from musicals.

“It’s 80s songs and you can sing them however you like, as far as I’m concerned, so long as it’s with enthusiasm. Then there’s the dancing side, which I’m actually looking forward to because with Craig choreographing it’s fun as hell.”

Yep, MK panto star Craig Revel Horwood is the director and choreographer behind this spanking new musical.

“It’s really exciting because… there’s nothing to really base it on, so when you get into the rehearsal room you can be really creative and you have an open mind. That’s what I love about doing new work,” Craig said, “With this it’s about weaving all the great songs through the story. That’s one of the challenges, as well as making sure the story is strong,” he added.

“Comedy is a huge element in the show as well as a lot of heartfelt moments, and we’re using songs from the 80s to help push the story forward. There are so many creative opportunities with a new show and when I’m directing I really let everyone have a bit of a say. We all create the show together in the room and I think that’s really important. “The actors can bring their creativity and their thoughts and ideas for the characters, then it’s about structuring it.”

Music can evoke so many memories – it’s important, isn’t it?

“Music in general helps people through lots of emotional journeys in their lives, especially with teenagers because their hormones are running riot,” Craig said, “As an older person you look back to those moments that made you happy and music is a huge part of that.

“This show taps into that nostalgia but it will also appeal to younger audiences because a lot of the 80s tunes are coming back or they’ve been covered by other artists. There’s something in it for absolutely everyone and I think teenagers will associate with the two girls – how they’re living their lives, their hopes and their dreams, and their aspirations – as much as adults will.
“Those are themes that are universal,” Craig added.

Make no mistake, Now That’s What I Call A Musical is bursting with pop players that you’ve never stopped humming from the 80s, but it’s more than ‘just’ another upbeat musical – for a start, pop princess Sonia will take the mic to sing her smash-hit Better The Devil You Know:

“It’s gonna be fab. The concept of the whole thing is just so exciting, telling the journey of these girls’ lives through music and what’s happened to them since they were friends at school. We all remember when we had our first boyfriend or girlfriend, our first break-up, getting back together, all that stuff, and when you hear songs from that time it all comes flooding back,” Sonia enthused.
Craig thinks ticket holders will return home having learned something about themselves.

“The story will prompt them to reflect on their lives to date and how it’s all worked out for them – what their hopes and aspirations were and how that fuelled whatever passion they had to help them become who they are today,” he explained.

“People will see themselves in the show and that’s one of the many things that’s really great about it, along with the story, the costumes, the dancing, the comedy and all that fantastic music.”

Now That’s What I Call A Musical visits Milton Keynes Theatre
November 12 – November 16. To book your tickets visit atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes