Now That’s What I Call A Musical – Grand Opera House, York

Book: Pippa Evans

Director: Craig Revel Horwood

Hi-top trainers, check. Mullet hair-do, check. Garish shell suit, check. Now you’re sitting comfortably, get ready for the soundtrack of your lives. With a book from the pen of Showstopper‘s Pippa Evans, Now That’s What I Call a Musical at York’s Grand Opera House is an absolute treat for anyone who loves a good dose of nostalgia and high-energy pop. Brimming with hits from the 80’s, 90’s and beyond and with a star studded cast to boot, this show has all the necessary ingredients for a kitschy, high-octane night of entertainment and it delivers ten-fold.

Jukebox musicals are quite often lazy but the script here is perfectly punchy and haplessly hilarious. Sure, the songs are shoehorned in but this intentionally hammy offering strikes just the right chord and every song is a banger. Joyously jovial and packed in with enough 80’s camp, this musical is a sure fire hit. Despite wanting to dislike it, it was impossible as one found the whole thing charming and utterly irresistible. The show bursts with infectious energy from the outset delivering hit after hit from the Now That’s What I Call Music back catalogue.

The cast are fantastic, bringing plenty of charm and enthusiasm to the stage. The storyline is lighthearted and fun – exactly what you need for an evening of pure theatrical escapism. It’s bubblegum for the brain in the best possible way – sweet, colourful, and utterly enjoyable. The choreography is slick, the vocals are strong, and the atmosphere in the theatre is electric, even for a cold Tuesday evening in York. Sam Bailey really rocks, Sinitta is just as iconic as one remembers, but the real star here is Nina Wadia who works tremendously hard to help move this (often) tenuous plot forward.

Still, if you’re looking for a night out that guarantees toe-tapping tunes, plenty of laughs, and a whole lot of feel-good vibes then this is the show for you. It may not be groundbreaking theatre, but it’s an unashamed celebration of iconic pop tunes cheesier than any corny chat up line. This show is a must-see for fans of 80s, 90s, and 00s hits! Craig Revel Horwood directs and though it’s (not quite) a 10 from Len, Now That’s What I Call a Musical is FABULOUS DAH-LING! The audience, all on their feet in the utterly thrilling megamix finale, is testament to the show’s popularity and it deserves every success on tour and beyond. Zany, brilliant, bonkers fun this is the fever dream you didn’t think you needed.

Runs until 22nd March 2025, before continuing on tour