Prepare to step back in time both literally and metaphorically as the cast and crew of Now That's What I Call A Musical take you on a rollercoaster musical comedy with a soundtrack packed with hits from the 80s.
This is a celebration of the iconic and chart-topping compilation albums of the past – and they're brought to life in this uplifting and funny performance which is based on the book by Pippa Evans.
It's 2009 and we're in a pub in Birmingham for the school reunion of the class of 1989. There's excitement, anticipation and trepidation as former classmates get together, all wondering how life has played out two decades after leaving the school gates.
We meet Gemma (Nina Wadia) as she waits to see if her estranged best friend April (Sam Bailey) will walk through the doors...eventually she does. And simultaneously, we're introduced to the younger versions of Gemma (Nikita Johal) and April (Maia Hawkins) in their school uniforms armed with their dreams of adulthood – Gemma wants to be a nurse, get married and have lots of children while April wants to go to Hollywood and become a star – and their mutual love for popstar Sonia, who makes a guest appearance with her own chart-topping hits.
And this is how this musical comedy continues - the past and present play out on stage at the same time, and nothing about it feels complicated. Some scenes are broken up with musical dances, cleverly choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with dance moves fresh out of the 80s, with outfits to match.
The second act takes quite a different, somewhat dark turn where Gemma returns to her marital home only to find April on the sofa canoodling with her husband. That marks the end of the marriage in which we find out this isn't the first time he's been unfaithful.
And even in this downward emotional dip, the music matches its sombre mood. But it's not long before the tempo is picked back up and the hits continue.
Then comes the mega-mix finale, which will have you on your feet, singing loudly and dancing as if you were the audience for an episode of Top of the Pops.
And there were other special guest appearances at the end - but I won't tell you who, it might ruin the surprise.
Now That's What I Call A Musical is jam-packed with nostalgia, dynamic dance moves and hit after hit after hit, including ‘Gold', ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', ‘Tainted Love', ‘Hey Mickey', ‘Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves' and many, many more!
Some of the high notes were missed, and the Brummie accent sometimes fell away. Despite this, Now That's What I Call A Musical was a feel-good throwback that definitely did not disappoint.
The show is on at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 12 April.
Review: Sunita Jaswal Photos: Pamela Raith