Cilla

Image Source: ATG

Written By: Scott Gunnion

Format: Musical
Genre: Comedy Drama
Date: September 8 2017
Location: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Cilla Black was a real feisty character. Of that, there is no doubt. So I expected nothing less than a grand spectacle from a production depicting her life.

So, please, I urge thee: moderate your expectations before you set sail. For, whilst not quite dismal, Cilla is far from a thriller.

The production is admittedly based on the ITV series of the same name and there was no pretence otherwise. But I was left with the impression that this was a production that had been thrown together without much consideration for how it could illuminate or even elevate an already well-known tale. As unambitious as it was unexceptional.

It was never going to shock, but it could have (had it chosen to) enlightened Cilla's story just that little bit more. This was a production without a voice of its own. A lazy rehash of something already sold to us before.

There was scope for some original musical numbers to pad out the drama and atone for the deficiencies of Cilla's limited back catalogue. Yet, instead, it played it safe with forgettable musical numbers that were nostalgic throwbacks to the sixties. If you love the sixties, then this is a winner, otherwise you're bound to be left with an aching appetite unsatisfied. But the audience clearly loved what was on offer: no doubt Cilla fans and sixties enthusiasts.

But this was a production that didn't know whether it wanted to be a play or a musical. As a drama, it was mediocre; pleasant but conventional. As a musical, it was pitiful and unoriginal, a victim of its inherent lack of aspiration.

I expected a thick and frothing glowing ode to a local legend, but to its credit, the play shies away from making a martyr of the late Cilla.

Kara Lily Hayworth was lovable enough in the lead. And, credit where credit is due, her vocals far eclipsed those of Cilla. The challenge for her was probably not to eclipse Cilla too much. I sensed she had to tone it down, aiming to impress whilst simultaneously aiming to underwhelm out of courtesy for the subject.

From a musical perspective, there was a thin back catalogue of Cilla numbers to choose from. This was an especially glaring obstacle to the show being a success. In fact, the production ends with a random mish-mash musical number of 60s staples that had no relation to the plot or anything that had come before it. It was all a bit random, and exceptionally lazy. A lacklustre gesture to the sixties superfans padding out the audience.

The real story was one of poor Bobby's dogged pursuit and his initially unrequited love; that's what hinged the production together. Bobby was the real heart of Cilla, the hero the audience was routing for. And whilst he eventually gets his girl, Cilla's reciprocation was never really touched upon. One minute it was a no, the next it was a yes. We didn't really get to see their love blossom on stage, a failing on the part of the writer and director.

What we end up with is limp and lightweight interpretation of the Cilla tale. If you are a sixties superfan, you'll think it's great. But nostalgia can be toxic, as I always say. This is a play that relies heavily on nostalgia to make its audience stay the course. Satisfactory, but only just. And Cilla the feisty red-head made into a plain Jane by a pedestrian production.

Overall Rating: 5/10 - Average