If you’re a Take That fan and wondering if to go to see Greatest Days, don’t hesitate, just go! It was absolutely brilliant and I know you will LOVE it!
I wasn’t sure what to expect really when I set off to the theatre with my neighbour and fellow Take That fan last night. I’ve been to a lot of Take That concerts over the years. I grew up in their backyard in Rochdale, and have been to lots of their concerts old and new. I served them whilst I was working as waiting staff in pubs, I wrote my sociology A-level project on the social effects of Take That and I’ve even met them. So for me Take That is, and has been for a long time part of my history. I wasn’t sure that a musical about them was going to live up to expectations – but I was wrong – I flipping LOVED every minute of it, and could genuinely go and watch it again tonight!
The show written by Tim Firth features Take That’s legendary music and became the fastest-selling musical in history when tickets went on sale after the band members were picked on BBC talent contest Let it Shine. The show follows the lives of 5 girls who were band fans back in the 90’s and they could be me, or you. The accents, the stories, Ceefax, Smash Hits, the tape players, the Top of the Pops references, it all could have been me. So because of that it had me from the opening few scenes and I laughed out loud, sang loudly, danced and even cried as I followed their journey.
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Is Greatest Days Musical the same musical as The Band?
Yes The Band musical has now been renamed Greatest Days to match the new film, based on the musical.
What is Greatest Days the Musical about?
Greatest Days follows five 16-year-old girls, Rachel, Debbie, Claire, Zoe and Heather, for who “the band” is everything and more. The actresses playing the young 16 year old are exceptional and have fantastic stage presence. They win tickets to see The Band live, but after an emotional evening, a tragedy takes place that splits the group until they are reunited 25 years later and take a trip to see The Band once again in Athens. The story as I’ve just typed it seems possibly a little dull, but I can assure you that it isn’t. It’s so well written and funny, that you get swept up in the emotion and at times I found myself laughing and crying at the same time.
The Band are in lots of ways not the main focus, but as they arrive on the stage to sing well times songs from Take That’s extensive back catalogue, you not only take on board the emotion portrayed on the stage, but along with it some of the emotion you felt when you last heard that song, or what it means to you. Back For Good, Greatest Day, Hold up a Light, Never Forget, Shine, Pray, Relight my Fire, Rule the World, I know what they all mean to me and if you’re thinking of going to watch it you know what they will mean to you too!
The audience in the Liverpool Empire was literally buzzing from the moment the show opened and ended with every singe person on their feet, waving their arms in the air. No-one wanted it to end – they all wanted more.
As I said at the beginning if you’re thinking of going, just book it, you won’t regret it. You can buy tickets here.
Greatest Days is on in Liverpool at The Empire until Saturday 15th July.
Then showing at:
- King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Mon 21 Aug – Sat 26 Aug 2023
- Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon 28 Aug – Sat 2 Sep 2023
- Bristol Hippodrome, Mon 11 Sep – Sat 16 Sep 2023
- Theatre Royal Brighton, Mon 9 Oct – Sat 14 Oct 2023
- Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Tue 7 Nov – Sat 11 Nov 2023
- Sunderland Empire, Tue 14 Nov – Sat 18 Nov 2023
Click here for another review of Greatest Days at Manchester Palace
NB: We received tickets to review Greatest Days but all opinions and gushing thoughts are my own.
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
Oh this sounds fabulous. I’m a massive Take That fan too and their songs were the soundtrack to my youth. I loved the TV show last year when the band members were chosen. I’ll really have to try to catch this show when it’s in Scotland later in the year x