I have left the theatre more confused and frustrated than I have for a very long time after seeing That’ll Be The Day. It is chocker block full of songs I love, in fact there wasn't one song I felt indifference for during the whole three hour performance. At times I wanted to rise to my feet to applaud the elements of brilliance I witnessed but there were also times I wanted to get up to leave!
I have thought a lot about what frustrated me so much about this piece and I think it’s because I don't actually know what it was. It had no real identity. At times it was a brilliant celebration of some of the greatest popular music ever produced. At other times it was a strange memorial to dead singers, a variety performance, a sketch show filled with Benny Hill-esque innuendo and jokes older than the music. I felt like I was in The West End seeing an incredible show but also at Butlins watching a Red Coats end of season performance. If I am completely honest it felt like a patchwork of the past 30 years of That’ll Be The Day - dated and disjointed. 
That said, brilliance came in spades the moment Ollie Grey, Jodie Lawson or Nikki Renee Hechavarria took centre stage. Grey showed what a true all-rounder should be, swapping easily between spectacular guitar and drum pieces to performing beautifully as some of the most well know stars of the past 60 years. Lawson and Hechavarria added not only a large dollop of glamour but captivating performances as Cilla, Gloria Gaynor and Lulu to name a few. The true Midas was Peter John Jackson. This charismatic performer was mesmerising and everything he touched shone like a beacon. From Bobby Vee to David Bowie he transformed and drew you in.
If I had witnessed 2 hours of these spectacular performances supported by the group of extremely talented musicians, I would have come away delighted. Sadly there were times it felt like karaoke but even that I could have accepted if it wasn't for the crass, dated added extras. There is apparently a new version of the show coming in the summer and I am hoping that many of these elements will be removed to allow the incredible talent to come through even stronger. It was however a standing ovation, with people up dancing for the end 10 minutes, so me and my guest may just be in the minority but with the talent that was displayed, it felt cheapened by the quick, crass “just for laughs”.
Reviewer: Helen Kerr
Reviewed: 4th February 2016
