Happy Days (UK Tour)
Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 16th June 2014
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| Lucy-Jane Adcock and Jason Winter |
A bright and cheerful musical, Happy Days is based on the television show of the same name which aired between 1974 and 1984. Set in the 50s, the musical follows the Cunningham family as they battle to save their local diner Arnold’s.
Happy Days is certainly in good, if not better, shape. There is now an extra slickness to proceedings while some performances have grown and settled. It seems director/choreographer Andrew Wright can do no wrong, his choreography remains astoundingly brilliant. The show's design is fantastic for a touring production.
The only problems I have with Happy Days lie with the material and not this production. Second time round I found the storyline dull, I struggled to get into it. There's a difference between a show being light-hearted and bland, and Happy Days verges on becoming bland. As I wrote in my last review, the show doesn't drag as the running time is only just over two hours; however, scenes do occasionally dip.
Stand out performances come from the entire ensemble whose incredible energy carry the show. Their passion and full commitment is both infectious and inspiring. I don't usually mention individual ensemble members in reviews, but the performances of the night came from Lucy-Jane Adcock and Jason Winter who stood out during all the dance numbers. Adcock and Winter's lifts were incredible, you could feel that all eyes were on them.
Heidi Range and the cast of Happy Days
The score is lively, containing both strong and weak moments. The big company numbers led by Pinky Tuscadero, played by longest serving Sugababe member Heidi Range, are my favourite as well as the catchy 'What I Dreamed Last Night' during which Bucks Fizz's Cheryl Baker is fabulous. Baker gives an excellent performance as Marion Cunningham, bringing so much joy each time she steps foot on stage.
I'm constantly moaning about shows opening in the West End before they are ready. I Can't Sing and From Here To Eternity are both examples of musicals which flopped as they weren't yet up to scratch for a long West End run, so I hugely respect producer Amy Anzel for touring Happy Days prior to a possible West End transfer. I can't see Happy Days running for years and years in the West End, but it could certainly attract those desiring a reminiscent, fun evening at the theatre over the course of a limited run.
Happy Days runs at the Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 21st June and tours the UK until Saturday 5th July 2014. Please visit www.happydaysthemusical.com for further information and tickets.
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Photo Credit: Paul Coltas
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