50 First Dates The Musical is a stage adaptation of the beloved 2004 romantic comedy film of the same name. It tells the story of an unlikely romance between Lucy, a woman with short-term memory loss who relives the same day over and over, and Henry, a man who has never had a second date.
We are undoubtedly living in the age of the movie-to-musical adaptation and, unfortunately, 50 First Dates is unlikely to make any sort of lasting impression. This is a pedestrian effort from David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, whose book and score is, at best, forgettable and lacks imagination. Although, a harsher assessment would be that it is lazy and, for the most part, glib.
It's pretty obvious why films from the '90s and '00s are endlessly being adapted for the stage; it's a cash-grab. The theory is that millennials now have the disposable income to throw at nostalgia-drenched attempts to relive their youth.
That's the theory, at least. But the truth is that theatregoers don't have money to burn on average musicals and for every Heathers or Legally Blonde - shows that take the popular source material, develop a fresh identity for new audiences and, most importantly, come up with decent scores - there is Pretty Woman and Mrs Doubtfire, shows that play it safe to the point where you question why they even bothered; add 50 First Dates to the growing pile.
There are some positives, most notably a talented company doing their best to stretch this meagre material as far as possible. Georgina Castle is exceptional as Lucy, the female lead who suffers from short-term memory loss, causing her to relive the same day everyday, with the help of her loving friends and family.
Castle, fresh from her acclaimed turn as Regina George in Mean Girls, is suitably sweet, genuinely witty and showcases her soaring vocal range. She performs opposite Josh St Clair as Henry, a pseudo-influencer type for whom it is pretty much love at first sight.
St Clair is sparky, fun and, where required, thoughtful as Henry. The wider ensemble is clearly talented and Casey Nicholaw's direction is fine. But the problem here is the material they are working from. Neither the book nor the score have heart. We are continuously told through song how loved Lucy is but it never really translates. This is a show steeped in exposition and the emotion is laid on so thick that it feels insincere.
Ultimately, the question must be asked: why make this musical? As far as it is possible to see, there is no progress or development from the 2004 film. The score is awkward, with desperately unimaginative lyrics and the production's leads are unfairly being asked to carry too much responsibility to paper over the many obvious cracks.
50 First Dates is playing at The Other Theatre until 16th November. For ticket information, see here.
Review: Tom Ambrose Photos: Pamela Raith