Buy tickets to the show here (ATG)
As a gawky teenager who was more like Adrian Mole with aspirations to be Nigel, Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (Aged 13 3/4) was an absolute god send to me. It was fictional proof that there were kindred spirits out there, surrounded by oddball family and friends who were more vibrant and real to me than any character in the soaps on television. I devoured every word then made sure I followed Adrian's journey through life as I embarked on my own adventures, always marvelling at how the rich tapestry of folk surrounding him reflected the real world like a mirror. I couldn't have been more delighted when the witty talents of Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary bought young Adrian's tale to the stage of my favourite theatre venue (Leicester Curve). I sat transfixed as teenage kicks came to life through dazzlingly inventive songs and hilarious dialogue. Like the novels, I followed this theatrical tale to Menier's Chocolate Factory and then, this week, to Ambassador's Theatre where I fell in love with it all over again. Here are eight reasons (as if you need any convincing) to go and see the show...
- 01 ~ The Kids: You'll get a different cast each show but I was gifted with Aaron Gelkoff as Adrian who absolutely owned and stole the show. He was geeky, adorable, heartfelt, clueless and everything you could want from the world's most famous Mole. He was ably surrounded by gifted performers such as Riya Vyas as Pandora (a perfect primadonna in pop socks), Albert Green as Nigel (giving sass and confidence with every move) and Aaron Shaw as Barry Kent (so menacing I had 20p in my hand in case I bumped into him in intermission). Phenomenal.
- 02 ~ The Mums: Amy Ellen Richardson as Pauline and Rosemary Ashe as Grandma gave such nuance in their performances that you got to experience the whole spectrum of emotions that mums go through - their own burning desires, their fierce protective nature of their kids and their ever nagging fear that they are getting it all wrong. Standing in their royal wedding finery, this was no better represented than through the powerhouse number of How Could You (a song so dramatic and intense it could power a Netflix eight part drama based on its content alone). Magnificent.
- 03 ~ The Men: Andrew Langtree was a joy to watch as downtrodden George Mole, a man who has settled into the suburban drudgery much better than his wife ever did. He's often off to the pub but when he's not he was actually giving tender aching at how, for him, his son and his wife are all he really wants. He did find a great foil in John Hopkins as Mr Lucas (who also did terrifying double duty as Popeye Scruton); the neighbour who just coverts the wanton wiles of his wife. John was every lothario you've ever seen seducing women at the over 30 discos (are they still a thing) and he was a delight to watch.
- 04 ~ Bert Baxter: Suitably gross yet oddly charming, Ian Talbot bought Bert to life in a way that made you want to shower (his comment about women and horses had the audience gasping yet laughing) and pat him fondly on the shoulder all at the same time. Not too shabby. Look up loveable rogue in the dictionary and this is the Bert you'll find.
- 05 ~ Suburbia: Pet Shop Boys sang about it but there is no more insightful way to see what life is really like there by peaking in the window of semi-detached Britain. This musical thrusts you direct past the curtains into the seedy salacious shenanigans. Not only do you have Bimbo and Sunbeam, but when an oddly alluring George takes up with a sassy Doreen Slater there are pink furry handcuffs and feather boas abounding. I loved characters like Doreen growing up; brassy and unapologetic and (both played with searing precision by Laura Denning) the complete opposite of Ms Elf. It took me years to learn to be a bit freer than society expected and characters like Doreen proved to be a big part of that transition. And talking of such tawdry going ons, this leads me to...
- 06 ~ the choreography: What a toe tapper associate choreographer Matt Crandon is. His dirty dance between Pauline and George is simmering heat, balanced with the reality of her trying to shut him up with a tea towel. The genius protest song Take A Stand has you wanting to dance along to the palpable energy emanating from the groovy moves. And there is Misunderstood, a bop with dance routines as addictive as anything you'd find in a Steps video. 07 ~ The Royal Wedding: This was the biggest event of the eighties, bigger than the Moldavian massacre finale in season four of Dynasty. Looking back on it with hindsight adds some biting wit to the proceedings. Sly references to Charles and Di's future love life are a proper hoot. And what was not to love about the outfits - particularly Grandma's polyester regal ensemble. My gran was exactly the same.
- 08 ~ The Nativity: I love a musical that has a festive tune in it (see also Annie, She Loves Me, The Secret Garden, Catch Me If You Can). This is utter genius. A bracing, modern take on the birth of Jesus through the logical eyes of kids. I was laughing so hard at the lyrics and visuals that I snorted quite loudly (apologies to those around me). Loved it. I'll need a cast recording version for my festive playlist please*. Finale heaven. Now go buy tickets!!
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