Before the internet, before mobile phones, before racier magazines such as Just Seventeen, teenage girls read ‘Jackie’.
Throughout the 1970s and 80s its’ pages were filled with flirting tips, pop stars, fashion, beauty and advice from the famous agony aunts, Cathy and Claire.
This joyous celebration of the magazine and the nostalgia felt for it by “women of a certain age” is great fun from start to finish. It follows the story of 54 year old Jackie, well played by Janet Dibley (Lorna Cartwright in Eastenders), as she goes through a divorce.
Connecting her past and present selves, the show also takes and honest and funny look at modern love and dating.
With a live five-piece band on stage, brilliant 70s music and fantastic, witty choreography by Arlene Phillips, this is a high energy production with a superb cast and ensemble of singers and dancers.
Michael Hamway, who plays Jackie’s 19 year old son, has a particularly strong voice and delivers an outrageous rendition of T Rex’s hit ‘20th Century Boy’.
The audience laughed, sang along, booed a boyfriend who broke up with Jackie, cheered the musical numbers and finally gave a standing ovation then got up and danced themselves.
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