Preview: Never Forget
Posted by catherinegee on July 8, 2007
To many the thought of a Take That musical maybe rather laughable but consider for a moment that it’s been written by Danny Brocklehurst, he of Shameless and Clocking Off fame, and the prospect doesn’t seem quite so bad.
Aptly titled Never Forget, the show is set around five young men who form a Take That tribute act in Manchester and is described as a feel-good comedy about “about love, friendship, ambition and betrayal”.
Starring musical veterans Dean Chisnall, Eaton James, Craige Els, Tim Driesden and Stephane Anelli who between them have performed in shows from Les Mis to Spamalot, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia and one stint in the Belgian Pop Idol.
The band themselves have been keen to point out that they in no way endorse the musical, even going so far as to post a statement on their website saying as much. The cast are undeterred, however. “Well, we hope they come and watch it because we really want to do their songs justice,” says Eaton James who plays Harry/Howard.
The show itself centres around the character of Ash, played by native Northerner Dean Chisnall, as he and his friends put together a tribute act. It will feature all the favourite hits, Relight My Fire, Pray, Back For Good, Babe and so on. “We’re trying to appeal to everyone,” says Stephane Anelli who plays Spaniard José/Jason. “Because it’s a fantastically written piece it appeals to theatre-goers, concert-goers, everyone really, from the age of eight to 80.”
“It’s going to be big spectacle as well,” says James. “There’s a big rain sequence at the end of the first half and there’s a big fire wall as well. We’re quite excited to get all that going.”
Each admits there’s been a lot more press attention around this show than is normally found in musical theatre. The name of Take That still carries the power to draw people’s attention, even when it’s not officially connected with them. And if we’re very lucky we may be treated to the sight of Eaton James’s bum in those famous chaps.
20 July – 4 August Wales Millennium Centre, tickets priced from £10-£35
Published in the July 2007 issue of Buzz magazine
