Club Tropicana was a huge worldwide hit for Wham in 1983, it was a satire of the boom for cheap package holidays for younger, single people of a hedonistic nature. So, in a show about hedonistic young people on cheap package holidays – Why is it not included among the twenty or so other hits of the 80’s that feature in the show?
Another question might be, Why does the Spanish cleaner do perfect impressions of Toyah, Bassey, Thatcher and Cilla – but the answer to that one is much easier. It’s because Kate Robbins is a great impressionist, and it helps her to absolutely steal the show as Consuela.
With a storyline that would fit easily on the back of a matchbox (with room to spare), a functional but hardly elaborate set and some seriously dodgy lighting at times, there is a lot to pick fault with in Club Tropicana the Musical but, with a hugely enthusiastic cast and a hugely enthusiastic audience, all riding along on a wave of nostalgia big enough to shake a cruise ship, the production succeeds where others might fail and offers a fun packed evening for everyone.
Joe McElderry is obviously relishing the chance to crank up the “camp” factor to 11 with his performance as the Club Tropicana hotel’s Entertainments Manager, Garry. The carry-on style gentle innuendo really fits well with him, without being too much in your face, and he gets many chances to show of his superb vocal talent throughout the piece.
One of the many Sugababes, Amelle Berrabah, together with Eastenders Neil McDermott play Serena and Robert, the owners of the hotel on the eve of discovering whether or not they have won a prestigious hotel award, as well as discovering their feelings for each other. Their relationship is very believable and, dare I say it, really quite cute too.
What storyline there is revolves around Lorraine (Karina Hind) who has just jilted Olly (Cellen Chugg Jones) at the alter. She goes off on the “would-have-been honeymoon” while Olly and his mates jet off for some sun to get over everything and (you won’t see this coming) they end up in the same hotel. You couldn’t make it up… oh wait… maybe you could.
Add in the mix the comedy stooge, and possible Hotel Inspector, Christine (Emily Tierney) and you have all the ingredients to load up the slapstick comedy wagon right to the top – and they do. With doors in the face, walls in the face, slippery floors and even a knife throwing act, poor Christine gets the lot!
With a young and energetic ensemble, who blast their way through Nick Winston’s very 1980’s choreography, together with Rebecca Mendoza and Tara Verloop as Lorraine’s best friends, Tracey and Andrea, Kane Verrall as Olly’s camper-by-the-minute friend Blaine and the simply stunning Drew (Rory Phelan) – a man who really knows how to impress in nothing but a pair of red Speedos – the stage is a constant blur, housing a production that sets off like a roller-coaster ride and never slows down.
Loaded with huge hits like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Just Can’t Get Enough, Making Your Mind Up, Relax, Only You, Temptation, Fantastic Day, Take on Me, Church of the Poison Mind and Call Me, played live by a five piece on-stage band, Club Tropicana the Musical is the latest in a very long line of “Jukebox Musicals”. It offers two hours of unbridled fun, far away from the problems of today and harks back to a time when life just seemed so much happier.
*** Three Stars