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Press tickets for review

“Greatest Days” is a theatre show that offers a wholesome celebration of friendship and a delightful dose of 90’s nostalgia. This production is a blend of Take That songs and a lighthearted story that follows the story of five girls in the thick of 90’s cringe with an obsession with “The Band” It’s a theatre show that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

It’s not until there’s a shatter of a heart, an eventful journey, the separation of a group and an epic reunion in Athens where the magic really comes alive in Greatest Days.

The heart of “Greatest Days” revolves around a group of best friends whose lives were forever changed during a night 25 years ago when they attended a concert of their favourite band. Promising to stick together forever though it’s only a matter of time before the group splits. Flashforward to present day and the group reform in Athens, and despite ‘girls like her‘ never entering competitions, Rachel (Jennifer Ellison) has her own greatest day.

The storyline offers a blend of nostalgia and heartbreak, but it predominantly leans towards the cheesy, cheeky and fun side. The show kicks off a bit slowly, and there are moments of cringe-worthy situations, but have a little patience. It really comes in to its own part way through the first act.

The true strength of the show in my opinion lies in its focus on the shared experience of the friends and the journey their friendship embarks upon and creating the group as ‘The Band‘. Although it’s Take That music, by staying unnamed and focusing on the ladies rather than a Take That story it becomes much more relatable and accessible.

I’m sure we can all relate to that group or popstar that we rely upon to get us through life. That song that just matches perfectly to the situation. ‘Is there a song that goes with this‘, ‘louder, boys‘, we’ve all been there where music has been our escape, and keeping it nameless provides such a strong base.

While the band’s reunion is a driving element to the progression of the story, the show places the spotlight on the story of the women and the bonds that can strengthen despite the sands of time and a reminder that sometimes the ones we push away are the ones we need the most. It’s a reminder of the enduring power of friendship and the way music can act as a time machine, transporting us back to our fondest memories, even if things don’t quite go to plan and we end up with some comedic mishaps instead!

There were a series of comedic moments throughout the show as humour is weaved throughout. I found the most humorous parts were thanks to the lines, delivery and presence of Every Dave (Alan Stocks), Young Heather (Kitty Harris), and Claire (Jamie-Rose Monk). The show captures the essence of how friendships can be tested, strained, and strengthened over time as long as you never forget – much like Take That’s career!

“Greatest Days” does have some shortcomings. The stage transitions can be clunky at times, detracting from the overall flow of the performance. Some of the humour does dilute the emotive impact and emotional connections with the characters. I didn’t connect too strongly emotionally with the characters in the first act and found it a little laborious. However, the connection between their younger selves during Back for Good was the moment for me. The blend of the voices was beautiful.

“Greatest Days” offers a heart-warming celebration of friendship and a generous helping of 90’s nostalgia. It’s a bit cheesy, a bit cringe-worthy, but it succeeds in its mission to remind us of the importance of cherished friendships and the power of a good song. If you’re willing to embrace the show’s spirit, you’ll find it to be an entertaining experience.

Curve Theatre, Leicester 23-28 Oct 2023