Girls Don't Play Guitars

Molly-Grace Cutler plays the late Val, with powerful vocals and deadpan manner adding many a laugh to the piece. Lisa Wright takes on Pam and has a je ne sais quoi in her performance that is captivating. Alice McKenna (Mary) and Sarah Workman (Sylvia) complete the quartet, and each hold their own throughout. The icing on the cake, this evening, comes when the cast are joined on stage in the encore by the remaining original Liverbirds in what became both a moving and theatrical triumph.

Mark Walters provides a stagnant set which works for the most part but, on occasion, it feels as if the cast are having to manoeuvre around it rather than have it work for them. This did not deter them, though and, in passing, did not distract the flow of the piece. Intricate details were visible throughout the set and it was clear that the whole creative team were on the same page- a rarity in a lot of productions post-Covid. Walters also designed the costumes which were loyal to the time and provided nostalgia for the audience.

Ian Scott’s lighting design transported the audience throughout the years and worked harmoniously with video and sound design from Jamie Jenkin and Kate Harvey, respectively. Jenkin’s video design was incorporated into television screens in Walters’ set and was reminiscent of performances from Top of the Pops in its heyday.

At times, the plot could feel a little samey, but the music bolstered the piece and never did it come close to flatlining. Thankfully, it didn’t follow the usual rags to riches story arc with a few speed bumps in the road, more so a rise to the top with the decision at the end to quit whilst they were ahead, retaining the power the girls had from the off.