I’m not sure I’ve got enough superlatives in my arsenal to do justice to a show that the word “razzamatazz” was invented for.
Fast, fun, and fabulous, from the opening dance routine and right through the biography of Cher’s life, The Cher Show, at Oxford’s New Theatre all week, is dynamic and fast-paced from start to finish.
The Cher Show was set to be a winner before a note was sung
But then with the top team of writer Rick Elice (The Jersey Boys), choreographer Oti Mabuse (Strictly and so much more) and director Arlene Phillips (everything!), The Cher Show was set to be a winner before a note was sung.
Cher’s story is well known, or is it? Because here we see her journey begin as a poor trailer park girl, bullied for being half-Armenian, to being used and abused by the men in the entertainment industry, to finally emerging as the icon/star/legend andsuccess story that she is now.
Too much for one star to depict then – Cher’s life is thus divided into three, each part taken by an equally impressive cast of singers who play Cher at these different stages of her career.
First up is Millie O’Connell, wonderful as Babe, who gives us the backstory of Cher’s childhood right up to meeting Sonny Bono, who ‘discovers’ the 16-year-old performer, marries her and famously cheats her out of her earned fortune.
Ingrid Olivia stepped in as Lady, Cher in her prime. Wonderful vocals, but with a slippery American accent not always comprehensible. And finally, in the second half, Debbie Kurup, as Star, and she was.
The National-Grid-depleting lighting and music, which only got louder and more joyful, has to be seen and heard to be believed
All three singers were on stage simultaneously, supporting each other’s stories, and continually delighting the up-for-it audience.
The National-Grid-depleting lighting and music, which only got louder and more joyful right up to the grand finale, has to be seen and heard to be believed. This was not an evening for quiet contemplation.
Special mention has to be made to costume designer Gabriella Slade who racked the bling up to astronomical levels, crystals aplenty, to ensure the costumes were truly Cher.
The great self-reinventer herself may have done her final Final Tour, but in The Cher Show she has sent out her avatars, and they are doing a very fine job indeed.
The Cher Show runs at Oxford’s New Theatre until Saturday February 25. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-cher-show/new-theatre-oxford/
Sheila Bailey
