And I am telling you… it’s going to be a long time before those lyrics and that tune stop playing on repeat in your head after spending a night with the Dreamgirls.
That and all the other earworms that just keep coming in this non-stop, rollercoaster of a show that brings the glitz – and grit – of the Motown sound to His Majesty’s, along with its heart and soul.
But behind that wall of sublime sound is a story with heart, laughs and a few tears along the way.
It charts the rise of The Dreams from their humble beginnings as talent show wannabes to superstars who blaze a trail not just in music but civil rights in America of the 60s – but with splits and heartache along the way.
Not to mention shining a light on the dark days when white acts simply hijacked black artists’ music for chart success – as well as exploring the murkier edges of how breaking into said charts, while breaking other acts, was achieved by some with corruption and bribery.
Dreamgirls at HMT is a breathtaking musical that ticks every box
While Dreamgirls is loosely based around acts like The Supremes, that’s just a framework for a breathtaking piece of musical theatre that ticks every box you would hope for – brilliant music, stunning sets, breathtaking choreography and a razor-sharp inventive book.
This isn’t a jukebox-esque show where the narrative stops to fit in the songs. The songs are the narrative, carrying the story of The Dreams from their naïve hopes through to the bickering break up – backbiting and infighting never sounded as good as it does in It’s All Over – before reunion and redemption.
The Dreams are the heart of the show and this touring version is blessed with three talented performers at the absolute top of their game.
Paige Peddie is the joyful and kooky Lorrell, Natalie Kassanga is Deena, the shy girl who becomes the leading superstar of the outfit and Nicole Raquel Dennis is the powerhouse talent Effie, whose difficult behaviour after being bumped as lead sees her cast out into the musical wilderness.
It’s the moment when Effie is being abandoned by the girls and her lover/manager – a deliciously dark turn from Matt Mills as Curtis – that brings the absolute highlight of the show.
Spontaneous standing ovation for And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going
Think you know And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going? You don’t. Not until you’ve seen Nicole Raquel Dennis give it such a massive emotional wallop with her extraordinary powerful voice in a gut-wrenching scene.
It was one of the rare occasions I’ve seen an HMT audience spontaneously brought to their feet for a long and deserved standing ovation. And that was just the end of the first act.
It isn’t the only high point, of course. The magnificent Listen which sees Effie and Deena make their peace was a joy, as was One Night Only – both versions.
And every time Brandon Lee Sears stepped on stage as the raucous Jimmy “Thunder” Early, is a pure pleasure.
And I am telling you… if you’re not going to Dreamgirls, you’re missing out.
Dreamgirls is at His Majesty’s Theatre until September 10. For information and tickets visit aberdeenperformingarts.com
Conversation