REVIEW: Club Tropicana the Musical at Sheffield Lyceum until Saturday

GEORGE Michael is a God-like genius — there, I said it.

My love for him might border on the obsessive — so imagine my delight when a new musical based on one of his biggest Wham! hits was announced.

And thankfully, I can report the show doesn’t tarnish the great man’s legacy — although be warned, there are no Wham! or even George hits in the show (its one downfall in my GM-obsessed opinion).

Instead, the narrative is based around the chaotic Club Tropicana hotel, where only the first drink is free.

The show is a celebration of all things 80s with music from the likes of Blondie, Bucks Fizz, Cyndi Lauper and Frankie Goes to Hollywood weaved into the narrative.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from the plot: I thought the storyline would have been more of an afterthought once the hits were shoehorned in — but how wrong I was!

There are some proper laugh-out-loud, knee-slapping moments. 

It’s silly, slapstick in places with believable characters who take the audience back to that rite of passage of the first holiday abroad with your mates. 

The freedom, the fun, the romances and the disasters are all there and the musical feels like a proper, old-school comedy — think Fawlty Towers meets Benidorm with added big hair and neon clothing.

As well as some big popstar names among the cast (more on them later) I was delighted to see women commanding the stage and being downright hilarious. 

Emily Tierney as high-maintenance hotel guest Christine and Kate Robbins as put-upon Spanish cleaner Consuela had the audience in hysterics with their physical comedy. Hugely-talented impressionist Robbins (who voiced most of the female puppets on Spitting Image for a decade) embodies dozens of famous personalities throughout the show and I was chomping at the bit to see more of her.

X Factor winner Joe McElderry also triumphs in his leading role as camp club rep Garry. McElderry, who shot to reality TV fame ten years ago, bursts onto the Lyceum stage giving that familiar club rep introduction to excited holiday-makers. 

Despite losing his way slightly in his opening monologue, the cheeky Geordie smiled his way through it and went on to give a joyous and bubbly performance that proved he can act as well as sing.

Further pop power comes in the form of Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah as nervous hotel manager Serena.

There’s also a familiar Rotherham face in the cast as Megan Louch stars as the swing and dance captain.

The West End performer, who hails from Bramley, showcases some amazing choreography - nodding to other 80s dancefloor favourites like Oops Upside Your Head.

As the theatre emptied on opening night I heard lots of happy chatter from audience members saying: “That was the best fun I’ve had in ages.”

Club Tropicana the Musical — fun and sunshine, there’s enough for everyone...well, until Saturday anyway.