The Wedding Singer Musical review

The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham went back to the 80s this week, when The Wedding Singer Musical took to the stage.

The neon leg warmers, blue eye shadow and array of rainbow-coloured headbands weren’t only to be found on the stage, when the cast of The Wedding Singer Musical arrived at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham this week. Many of the members of the packed audience were also suitably attired in 80s throwbacks too, for the musical based on the Adam Sandler movie.

The show featured a feast of original songs – as well as a couple that fans of the film could sing-along to, including ‘Somebody Kill Me’ and ‘Grow Old With you’ – there was laugh-along one-liners with injections of adult humour, cracking choreography, high octane dance routines and vivid costumes all thrown in to the opening night.

The star of the night was undoubtedly last-minute stand-in Simon Lipkin, who embraced the challenge of playing Robbie Hart – the title wedding singer role – with both hands. Jonathan Wilkes who was due to play the role had to pull-out at the last minute due to health reasons, but Lipkin proved convincing, with clockwork comic timing and excellent vocals, in his performance of West End quality.

Two Pints of Lager star Natalie Casey was cast in the role of Robbie’s eventual sweetheart, Julia. While a few comments were made by audience members about her strong Northern twang infiltrating her supposedly America accent, her singing was faultless and the energy and enthusiasm she injected into the role clearly evident.

Stephen Webb, who played bad boy Glenn, may have looked great in his Miami Vice get-up – but his version of a Stateside drawl was more cringe-worthy than a Polyester suit with the sleeves rolled up.

Performances that stuck in the mind for the right reasons, however, came from the hilariously camp George played by Faisal Khodabukus, and the performance by the pitch perfect and promiscuous Holly, played by Jodie Jacobs.

In short, The Wedding Singer Musical was a thoroughly enjoyable show packed with the sort of cheesy fun that the decade which invented shoulder pads would be proud of.

Plus, see SoGlos.com's Wedding Singer photo gallery taken at the opening night’s after party.

Michelle Byrne
9 June 2008