Showing posts with label Mel C. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mel C. Show all posts

Monday, 10 December 2012

Viva Forever, Piccadilly Theatre, London - Preview

As you know I am a child of the 90s and I am a massive fan of The Spice Girls.

So imagine my delight when I heard many months ago that the legend that is Jennifer Saunders was writing a musical using their songs and it was being produced by Judy Craymer, the producer behind Mamma Mia. So far, so good.

Again imagine my delight when a friend told me her sister could get us preview tickets for the musical for only £35.

The show officially opens tomorrow but last Tuesday I was sat in the theatre watching it.

I have to admit as a massive Spice Girl fan I was a little nervous, worried it was going to be a re-hash or telling their story. When you listen to the songs they are little stories and I was worried the story wouldn't do the songs justice.

I won't give too much away but basically the story is set around Viva and her three friends who are a band. The enter a reality show (X-Factor style) however, their mentor decides that maybe Viva would be better on her own...

I will admit that I loved this musical. There is great humor  as you would expect from something written by Jennifer Saunders, the songs fit nicely into the story and don't seem forced. 

Obviously I saw a preview so the actual show maybe slightly different from the one I saw. However, I did get to see Jennifer and Judy who were watching in the audience, brilliant to see two greats in real life.

As you would expect the classics are in there Too Much, Wannabe, Say You'll be There and Who Do You Think You Are. Also included is Do It and Denying great Spiceworld album tracks.

My favourite though is Geri Halliwell's Look At Me it is made for a musical.

It also has a great cast Viva is played by Hannah John-Kamen, who is making her debut. Her voice is amazing. Other cast members include comedian Lucy Montgomery who you may recognise from Absolutely Fabulous, The Might Boosh and Tittybangbang; Simon Slater;  Sally Dexter; Sally Ann Triplett who was in Mamma Mia; Tamara Wall who played Martina in Eastenders and was the original Brooke in Legally Blonde.

If you are a Spice Girls fan you will love this musical it is all about Girl Power - love and friendship. If you hate the Spice Girls maybe give it a miss. I cannot wait to see it again with my mum and sisters.


Sunday, 23 September 2012

Memories.....The Spice Girls

It is true that music can evoke memories, can take you back to a time gone by and make you feel the same way you did then.

Recently I have been listening to a lot of the Spice Girls, the greatest hits to be precise. No matter what mood I am in I can guarantee that after listening to Wannabe, Who do you think you are or Spice up your life I have a happy glow and feel instantly better.

I was 10 when the Spice Girls came out in 1996. I remember a girl in my class had printed off the lyrics to Wannabe, I didn't have sky or music channels at home so had no idea who they were but we sung the songs and made up dance routines.

When I did see them for the first time I was hooked and my obsession grew over the next few years. I had everything Spice Girls; the dolls, a cardboard cut out of Scary Spice (each of the girls had nicknames created by Smash Hits magazine - Baby, Sporty, Posh and Ginger), stickers, an alarm clock, pillows, you name it I had it still have it I hope up in my loft.

Spice Girls were the face of Pepsi, Walkers crisps and Cadbury's chocolate so no other brand would do, if it was good enough for them it was good enough for me.


I had platform trainers, one pair were black trainers with a white flatform heel, which I defaced. In the Move Over video/Pepsi advert Geri had a similar pair with Pepsi written on, so I did the same with permanent maker. My mum was not happy. I also, shamefully, had a neon green PVC pair of platform trainers that I even wore to school! My best friend at the time even tried to nick them, I loved them but looking back they were a thing of their time.

I remember being late for school once as me and my friend were waiting for the premiere of the Spice up your life video on MTV, the only time I was late for school.

If they were in any magazine be it Smash Hits, Top of the Pops or TV Hits I bought it and cut out each page and picture. I had folders full of interviews and even got the inflatable dolls from Smash Hits.

I remember being jealous of my sister's neon coloured Spice Girls puffa jackets.

I never got to see them live at the time but did see their comeback gig at the O2 a few years ago, a massive concert highlight for me.

Growing up Girl Power was a big thing to me, the Spice Girls made you realise 'yer you are a girl and you can be yourself and be who you want to be'. They were my idols and I think without Girl Power 90s I wouldn't be the person I am today.

I am going to see the Spice Girls musical in December - Viva Forever written by Jennifer Saunders, I can't wait, even just to hear the tunes sung live again.

Whenever I hear a Spice Girls song I can't help but smile, they were the first band I truly became obsessed with and are a part of me and growing up. I will also make sure my kids know all the words and love them.

So...

Viva the Spice Girls!!!!

Mel C, Mel B, Emma, Geri and Victoria!