greatest day musical tour review

Greatest Days review: I saw the musical based on Take That's songs and it'll probably make you cry

Greatest Days has arrived at Wales Millennium Centre for just a few days

• 11:06, 28 JUN 2023

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Nostalgia can be seriously powerful - and Greatest Days uses it to make the audience boogie and sob in equal measure.

The musical, based on the songs of Take That (and previously titled The Band), is on a tour of the UK and its latest stop is at Wales Millennium Centre. It follows Rachel (played in two timelines by Emilie Cunliffe and Coronation Street’s Kym Marsh) and her group of mates who bond over a shared love of a boyband but go their separate ways when tragedy shakes their friendship - until they reunite to see the band one more time

We first meet them as excitable, relatable, hilariously noisy teenage mega-fans, joking about which band member they’re going to marry and singing along to their songs on the bus. But life doesn’t go to plan for Zoe (Hannah Brown/Holly Ashton), Heather (Kitty Harris/Rachel Marwood), Claire (Mari McGinlay/Jamie-Rose Monk) and Rachel, and when they return to the stage as adults, that is when Greatest Days finds its groove in their arguments, regrets and grief.

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Surprisingly, given the strength of the Take That songbook including Back For Good, Do What You Like and Shine) the music often takes a backseat. There’s not an actively bad voice in the cast, but neither do any of them particularly stand out. Advisably, there are no attempts by ‘the band’ to perfectly impersonate Robbie, Gary and the rest, but that does mean the five singers (played by Kalifa Burton, Jamie Corner, Archie Durrant and Dancing on Ice winner Regan Gascoigne) blur into one.

The star power is more in the acting, especially in Kym Marsh’s lead performance and in how the young cast effortlessly creates an authentic, believable bond between their characters before showing how it breaks down. This show pulls at the heartstrings a staggering amount, and you might find yourself crying.

But the band's hits do all get their moment, from early singles like Pray to 2000s tunes like Shine and Rule the World, and they’ll send a tingle down the spine of anyone who's ever turned on a radio. On a few occasions the five boyband members perform a mini-concert and it’s just as much a frenzy of flashing lights, pumping music and 90s choreo as you’d hope.

The script is funny and warm but veers into being too sappy on occasion, and hits the wrong notes sometimes; Claire’s character has a genuinely emotional moment that deserves better than to be bookended by a couple of tired jokes about her weight. But the writing is mostly self-aware enough to know when to rein it back.

The cast is bolstered by Mary Moore’s memorable performance as the group's excitable and loving childhood friend Debbie, and comic relief by Alan Stocks who plays every bumbling, quippy authority figure in the show and Christopher D Hunt as Jeff, Rachel’s well-meaning but amusingly incompetent boyfriend.

Greatest Days makes for a funny, impactful and appropriately cheesy choice for a trip to the theatre that packs way more of an emotional punch than expected.

Greatest Days features 15 of Take That's songs and stars Kym Marsh. It's running at Wales Millennium Centre until July 1, 2023 and you can book tickets here.

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Greatest Days review – nostalgic, by-numbers Take That musical

A winning central performance from Aisling Bea is the bright spot in this predictable adaptation of the jukebox musical

T he music of Take That is the fuel that drives this formulaic story of female friendship, so perhaps a critic who wouldn’t prefer to have her skin flayed off with a nail file rather than listen to the band might find more to appreciate here. But even with that caveat in mind, and even taking into account Aisling Bea ’s very likable central performance as Rachel, the children’s ward nurse who wins tickets to a reunion tour by Take That’s alter ego ensemble “the Boys”, this is weak stuff. It’s a film that obediently hits the predictable story beats, is regularly punctuated by peppy, disposable musical numbers, but shows no inclination to be much more than a nostalgic marketing vehicle for a collection of anodyne pop songs.

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Greatest Days is a joyous crowdpleaser – whether you like Take That or not

It's now available on Prime Video.

Because yes, Greatest Days is a bit naff and cheesy, but in the right way. It's a wholesome celebration of friendship, tinged with heartbreak, that ultimately proves to be a crowdpleaser whether you like Take That or not as it's not really about them.

Instead, the central band in the movie is just "The Boys" and it's actually about a group of best friends. 25 years ago, their lives were forever changed on a night they went to see their favourite band and when the band reunites for a comeback tour, the friends reunite also to relight their friendship.

Adapted from the stage musical The Band (now renamed after the movie and on a UK tour ), Greatest Days isn't exactly subtle in its approach. It's clear that something devastating happened 25 years ago, and it's fairly obvious what it was even though it's kept for a late-stage reveal.

This fumbled reveal aside, the movie doesn't do much wrong in its approach. It's clearly aiming for big-hearted musical cheese, but its theatricality is rooted in genuine emotion so that it earns its emotions rather than feeling manipulative.

The movie's biggest strength is not making it about Take That and focusing on a specific shared experience. Everybody has had that group of friends you were super close to in your youth, mutually obsessed over one thing whether it's a band, TV show or whatever, only to drift apart over the years because life gets in the way.

Sure, Greatest Days explores this theme via some Take That bangers, but the engaging performances matter more. Aisling Bea and her counterpart Lara McDonnell as the younger Rachel are the standouts, with Bea honing her This Way Up blend of comedy and tragedy for her biggest movie role to date.

Unlike some jukebox musicals, Greatest Days doesn't just attempt straight covers of Take That songs. Each song is moulded to fit a different purpose with inventive choreography and staging, from 'Shine' becoming an old-school Hollywood ballroom number to 'Back for Good' turning into an emotive ballad that has the teenagers talking to their adult selves.

The one that'll linger in the memory is a moving, stripped-back version of 'Rule the World' during a key climactic scene. Because yes, not only is the Take That musical genuinely good, but you will also cry.

Ultimately though, Greatest Days is a joyous experience as the emotional highs always hit harder after exploring the lows. The movie might be set in a fantastical world where "The Boys" constantly appear out of nothing for a big number, but Greatest Days works so well because it feels real .

Could it be magic? Yes, it actually could.

Greatest Days is now available on Prime Video .

Movies Editor, Digital Spy  Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor.  Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies , attending genre festivals around the world.   After moving to Digital Spy , initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.  

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Review: Kym Marsh and daughter Emilie Shine in Take That musical Greatest Days

Heartwarming performances and a stellar soundtrack as the Take That musical returns

• 12:26, 19 MAY 2023

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For anyone who ever adored a boyband growing up, Take That musical Greatest Days is a wonderful chance to revel in those feelings once again. When this show was first launched by the band in 2017, they hailed it their "love letter to the fans" and it certainly remains that.

Indeed, the boyband who are brought to life in this new production utlimately play second fiddle to the fans - it is their story that is centre-stage. The anonymous five lads (they're never actually named as Take That or as individuals in the show) become like a Greek chorus, shaping the lives of the besotted young girls.

We are transported back to the 1990s, to a time when taping your favourite song off the radio and plastering Smash Hits posters in your school locker was still a thing.

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We are introduced to 16-year-old Rachel, who explains her love for the band, as her 46-year-old self looks on in present day. Due to some brilliant casting for this new run, we have the mother and daughter duo of Kym Marsh and Emilie Cunliffe playing these dual roles.

I didn't expect it to be quite so moving as it is, but there was something so special in seeing this pairing on stage.

We get to see very demonstrably how much the band mean to the 16-year-old Rachel - and to all her friends - while the band themselves perform a bouncing medley of some of Take That's biggest hits.

Rachel and her four school pals Debbie, Claire, Zoe and Heather hatch a plan to see the band in concert at the Manchester Apollo with plenty of laughs along the way.

Mary Moore as Debbie is the vivacious leader of the girls and brings a real star appeal to this role. It makes the tragedy that folllows even harder to bear, knowing we won't get to see how her life will pan out.

It breaks the once-strong union between the pals, until they are reunited some 25 years later by an unlikely competition win to see the band in their comeback shows in Athens.

An airport reunion brings with it all the raw emotions, as well as the hilarious on stage moments, of meeting up with friends for the first time in decades.

Jamie-Rose Monk as Claire excels in these moments, taking the mickey about her physical change - through to the the emotional reveal of how she has really felt about the friends break up all those years ago.

The band themselves - played by Regan Gascoigne, Alexanda O'Reilly, Jamie Corner, Archie Durrant and Kalfia Burton - morph from those excitable young lads in 90s white combats through to besuited manband with aplomb.

They bust some seriously impressive dance moves, while never letting one member outshine the other. Special mention too to Christopher D Hunt as "maximum Jeff" who wins the hearts of the audience as well as of partner Rachel.

It's fair to say that this new production from Adam Kenwright is a seriously stripped down version compared to the original glossy run from David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, which originally played under the title The Band and premiered in Manchester back in 2017 .

Now as Greatest Days, the show has a very minimal grey stairs stage set which ends up doing a hell of a lot of legwork to transform into everything from a jet plane to the rocks of a hilltop through the course of the show. Especially when you think the original show had an actual full on jet plane on stage.

Some of the stand-out moments of that original version, like when a fountain comes to life with the boys, is also a tad watered down here.

But luckily, it's the human drama and excellent performances that maintain the magic of this show - and of course the enduring soundtrack of Take That with 15 of their biggest songs peppered throughout. I enjoyed every minute, and for anyone who followed Take That as a youngster will make you nostalgic for the good old days.

The performers here are the beating heart, and they made me laugh and cry and fighting the urge to sing along. Fans will be pleased to hear that the show does come to an all-singing and dancing finale though - where you do get your moment to Shine.

Greatest Days is at Manchester's Palace Theatre until May 27

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Greatest Days review: "Vibrant musical propelled by a stream of Take That bangers"

GamesRadar+ Verdict

A vibrantly choreographed, credibly acted Brit-musical propelled by a stream of Take That bangers.

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Adapted by Tim Firth from his own stage musical The Band and directed by Coky Giedroyc (How to Build a Girl), Greatest Days is billed as "the official Take That musical".

But though its soundtrack sports sundry reworked Take That songs, this is neither biopic nor A Hard Day’s Night -style caper. Instead, the focus is on five fangirls and, by extension, pop music’s ability to transport us emotionally. 

The premise is (deceptively) straightforward: forty-something nurse Rachel (Aisling Bea) wins a competition to see her favourite teenhood boy band play in Athens. Given four extra tickets, she invites her closest pals from school in Clitheroe, despite the fact that they haven’t seen each other for 25 years…

Switching confidently between two time frames – 1993 and present day – and casts (the adult contingent includes Alice Lowe, Jayde Adams, Amaka Okafor and, as Bea’s husband, Marc Wootton), the story is structured around a series of spectacular song-and-dance set pieces. The first flashback Introduces us to Rachel’s adolescent self (played by Lara McDonnell, a convincing match for Bea), who has the gift of being able to summon from imagination her favourite (unnamed) pop idols, prompting drab reality to give way to exuberant fantasy. 

Giedroyc doesn’t ignore life’s inevitable sadnesses – along the way there are unexpected bereavements, family rifts, unfulfilled youthful dreams… It’s the uplift that sticks, though. Greatest Days’ greatest scene sees the women preparing to board a budget flight in a Busby Berkeley-esque whirl of gold ball gowns, top hats and canes, and geometric patterns. "Let It Shine", indeed…

Greatest Days is in UK cinemas on June 16. For more upcoming films , check out our 2023 movie release dates .

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Take That movie musical 'Greatest Days': Trailer, cast, plot, soundtrack and more revealed

30 May 2023, 14:06 | Updated: 30 May 2023, 14:15

By Tom Eames

The trailer for Take That's new movie 'Greatest Day' has landed

Listen to this article

The trailer for Take That 's musical Greatest Days has dropped ahead of the film's release later this summer – and it's brilliant.

Adapted from the band's highly successful stage show, the movie is executively produced by Take That band members Gary Barlow , Mark Owen and Howard Donald and features a stellar comedic cast.

Here we bring you all you need to know about the film's trailer, soundtrack, plot, soundtrack and more:

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When will 'Greatest Days' be released?

Take That's musical Greatest Days will be released across cinemas in the UK and Ireland on Friday, June 16, 2023.

It's also been revealed that the boys will be performing live at the incredibly special London premiere of the film on Thursday 15th June.

• Gary Barlow releases unheard demo of 'A Million Love Songs' he penned when he was 15-years-old
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The not-to-be-missed live performance will be showcased at cinemas nationwide alongside the premiere previews on the same night, so fans can see Take That play their music ahead of the screening.

Take That also performed a few weeks earlier at King Charles III's Coronation Concert on May 8.

What is the plot of 'Greatest Days'?

Like the stage production, the movie follows four former schoolgirls who had their lives changed at a concert by their favourite boyband, and then reunite 25 years later to reminisce on their memories.

Gary Barlow , Mark Owen and Howard Donald will executive produce the film, just as they did for The Band.

Founding members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange , who quit Take That in 2014 and retired from touring and making music, isn't involved in the project.

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Filmed in the UK and based on location in Greece, the film follows the girls on a nostalgic tale of friendship and negotiating adulthood.

Tim Firth wrote the musical, which began touring in 2017, and told the Daily Mail about the story: "A tragedy happens, then we jump forward 25 years to see the women those girls became and they realise they were fools to have been apart for so long.

"It’s about friendship and the power of the songs they loved. The band and the bits are secondary; it’s about the fans who loved them."

Speaking about the film,Take That said: “ Greatest Days is a film dedicated to all those who have supported us throughout the years.

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"It puts a mirror on our audience – it’s a celebration of our music but it’s literally all about the fans and their friendships.

“Our fans have been on a 30-year journey with us and we have an incredibly strong bond with them, so seeing that they will be represented on screen by such a strong, talented cast is incredibly exciting.”

Who will star in the film version of Take That's Greatest Days?

It was previously reported that Cush Jumbo, Ruth Wilson and Rosamund Pike were in talks to feature in the film.

However, this is no longer the case.

Aisling Bea leads the cast as nurse Rachel, with Lara McDonnell playing her younger self.

Alice Lowe and Eliza Dobson play older and younger versions of Heather, Amaka Okafor and Nandi Sawyers-Hudson play Zoe, Jayde Adams and Carragon Guest play Claire, and Jessie Mae Alonzo plays Debbie.

Marc Wootton completes the main cast, as Rachel's boyfriend Jeff.

The boys in the band are being played by newcomers Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samaras and Mervin Noronha.

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Former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc’s sister Coky Giedroyc has directed the film, with Take That executive producing alongside David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers.

Which songs will appear in Take That's Greatest Days?

The end of the trailer for Greatest Days has confirmed exactly which of Take That's most iconic songs will be included in the summer movie.

See the full list of known songs below:

• 'Pray'
• 'Everything Changes'
• 'Back For Good'
• 'Could It Be Magic'
• 'A Million Love Songs'
• 'Never Forget
• 'Shine'
• 'Patience'
• 'Rule The World'
• 'Greatest Day'

Watch the trailer for 'Greatest Days' below:

Greatest Days - Official Trailer 2023

Is Greatest Days still a stage musical?

Yes! As well as the film, the stage musical is still touring the UK. Previously called The Band , it has now been renamed Greatest Days like the film.

In August 2022, it was announced that a special adaptation of Greatest Days would be performed exclusively onboard the new P&O Cruises Ship Arvia. The show premiered in January 2023.

• Take That musical Greatest Days: Kym Marsh and daughter Emilie Cunliffe join cast of hit musical for UK tour

In September 2022, it was announced that the musical would tour the UK and Ireland in 2023. The tour premiered at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, in May 2023 and will tour until 2024.

The tour stars Kym Marsh in the lead role of Rachel, with her real-life daughter Emilie Cunliffe playing the younger version of her character.

Regan Gascoigne - Paul Gascoigne's son and former winner of Dancing on Ice - plays one of the boyband members.

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Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical to tour in 2023

September 21, 2022 Last updated: May 7, 2023 2:15 pm By Admin

Adam Kenwright is delighted to present GREATEST DAYS – The Official Take That Musical , with a book by award-winning playwright Tim Firth. The musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams. GREATEST DAYS celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK number 1 single Pray.

Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are Take That in 2022 and continue the legacy of one of the most successful band’s in British chart history, with over 45 million records sold worldwide and 12 number 1 hits in the UK. Formed as a five-piece in 1989, they enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at number 2 & number 1 respectively. The third album Nobody Else confirmed their global domination, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in 11 countries. The departure of band member Robbie Williams prompted a break-up in 1996 and nine years in the wilderness before the remaining four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour. This sparked one of the greatest comebacks in British music history with Take That going on to release three number 1 albums in just four years. Robbie’s return for 2011’s Progress saw them break UK records for the fastest-selling album of the 21st century and fastest-selling tour of all time. Williams’ second departure, along with that of Jason Orange, left the remaining three members to release III, which was certified platinum. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of Odyssey, a greatest hits album, which reached number 1, and a UK and European stadium and arena tour.

Tim Firth is one of the UK’s most beloved award-winning writers and composers in film, television and theatre. His extensive theatre credits include the Olivier Award-winning musical Our House (West End), the UK Theatre Award-winning This is My Family (Sheffield Crucible), the MEN Award-winning Neville’s Island (Nottingham Playhouse and West End, Evening Standard & Olivier nomination) and Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End) which broke all British records for a professional and amateur play, was nominated for an Olivier and won the Whatsonstage Best Comedy Award. Tim collaborated with lifelong friend Gary Barlow on Calendar Girls The Musical which had a successful run in the West End and then toured the UK and Ireland, winning a Whatsonstage Award and receiving several Olivier nominations along the way. Tim’s film credits include Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots. Recently, Tim co-created and directed Gary Barlow’s one-man show A Different Stage which has toured the UK and is currently running in the West End.

Take That said: “ We are so thrilled that this new production now titled ‘Greatest Days’ is launching next year. We had an enormous amount of fun working on the original version and can’t wait to help bring this new production to over 30 cities across the UK and Ireland from May 2023. ”

The musical follows a group of five best friends in the 1990s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls then reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.

GREATEST DAYS features more than 15 of Take That’s record-breaking songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from the award-winning writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Our House, Kinky Boots).

GREATEST DAYS was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh & Daffyd Rogers + Take That. The UK tour of The Band originally opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 September 2017 and closed in March 2019, breaking box office records along the way. The musical ran for a limited West End season at Theatre Royal Haymarket over Christmas in 2018/19.

Website: greatestdaysmusical.com Facebook: @GreatestDaysMusical Twitter: @Greatest_Days Instagram: @Greatest_Days

2023 TOUR SCHEDULE 5 – 13 May Bromley Churchill Theatre 0343 310 0020 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

16 – 27 May Manchester Palace Theatre 0844 871 7615*

29 May – 3 June Newcastle Theatre Royal 0191 232 7010 www.theatreroyal.co.uk

5 – 10 June Woking New Victoria Theatre 0844 871 7615*

12 – 17 June Sheffield Lyceum Theatre 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

20 – 24 June Southend Cliffs Pavilion 0343 310 0030 www.southendtheatres.org.uk On sale 11 November

27 June – 1 July Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre 029 2063 6464 www.wmc.org.uk

3 – 8 July Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7615*

10 – 15 July Liverpool Empire Theatre 0844 871 7615*

17 – 22 July Wolverhampton Grand 01902 42 92 12 www.grandtheatre.co.uk

24 – 29 July Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 01242 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk

31 Jul – 5 Aug Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787 www.marlowetheatre.com

7 – 12 Aug Norwich Theatre Royale 01603 630 000 www.norwichtheatre.org

15 – 19 Aug Blackpool Opera House 0844 770 0593 www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

21 – 26 Aug Glasgow Kings Theatre 0333 009 6690

28 Aug – 2 Sep Edinburgh Playhouse 03330 096 690

11 – 16 Sep Bristol Hippodrome 0333 009 6690

26 – 30 Sep Southampton Mayflower Theatre 02380 711 811 www.mayflower.org.uk

9 – 14 Oct Brighton Theatre Royal 0844 871 7615*

17 – 21 Oct Truro Hall for Cornwall 01872 262 466 www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

23 – 28 Oct Leicester Curve 0116 242 3595 www.curveonline.co.uk

7 – 11 Nov Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 0844 871 7615

14 – 18 Nov Sunderland Empire 0333 009 6690

21 – 25 Nov Leeds Grand Theatre 0113 243 0808 www.leedsheritagetheatres.com

Further venues to be announced

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

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Greatest Days review: The Take That musical film is every bit as nicely generic as you’d imagine

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Take That ’s lyrics have always been rich with affecting but generic platitudes like “stop being so hard on yourself” and “we’ve come so far, and we’ve reached so high”. Greatest Days , Coky Giedroyc’s big screen transfer of “the official Take That musical”, finds an equally broad theme on which to pin itself: how the glue that holds together young female friendships can often be a shared fixation.

In this case, it’s a fictional boy band only ever referred to as “the boys” (played by Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samara and Mervin Noronha) – they sing Take That’s entire back catalogue but, for mysterious reasons, are officially not Take That. Their white shirts, always unbuttoned, billow in the wind. Sometimes they wear leather harnesses. They’re somehow highly sexual and completely asexual at the same time, as all great boy bands are.

Rachel ( Aisling Bea ), a night-shift nurse in a tender but sterile relationship, wins a radio competition to see the band’s reunion concert in Athens. But she hasn’t been in touch with her girlhood pals in decades, a crew we see in a handful of spirited flashbacks (where Rachel is played by uncanny Bea lookalike Lara McDonnell). There’s Heather (Eliza Dobson), Zoe (Nandi Hudson), Claire (Carragon Guest), and, finally, the boisterous Debbie (Jessie Mae Alonzo).

We’re shown, through musical fantasy renditions of Take That hits such as “Pray”, “Could It Be Magic”, and “Everything Changes”, how the boys offered these teens a temporary respite from their dead-end Lancashire hometown. In the film’s strongest sequence, the band crawl out of cupboards and jeté off kitchen counters to help Rachel clean up a plate smashed during an argument between her parents.

But when the crew reunite – older now, and played by Alice Lowe , Amaka Okafor, and Jayde Adams – Debbie isn’t with them. It’s obvious what’s happened, but Greatest Days withholds her fate for pure narrative convenience. Much like a classic Take That track, this is a film that cares much more for the display of emotion than it does its root cause – the second it dares get specific, it risks losing that wide-scale relatability.

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And so the women abruptly explode into conflict, as the boys croon “Greatest Day” and “Never Forget”, while their connection to this music is whittled away into something largely perfunctory. That, or it gets sidelined entirely for a tourist board ad for Athens (“It’s the friendliest city in the world!” they exclaim, their eyes twitching with desire to look right down the barrel of the lens). The women ultimately duet “Back for Good” with their teenage selves, but all it really does is remind us that we were all teenagers once and probably sad at some point. Still, it’s well-performed and efficiently emotive. Just like the music of Take That, I guess.

Dir: Coky Giedroyc. Starring: Aisling Bea, Lara McDonnell, Alice Lowe, Eliza Dobson, Amaka Okafor, Nandi Hudson, Jayde Adams, Carragon Guest, Jessie Mae Alonzo. 15, 112 minutes.

‘Greatest Days’ is in cinemas from 16 June

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Greatest Days

A feature adaptation of the 'The Band' musical, featuring the songs of Take That. A feature adaptation of the 'The Band' musical, featuring the songs of Take That. A feature adaptation of the 'The Band' musical, featuring the songs of Take That.

• Coky Giedroyc
• Aisling Bea
• Matthew McNulty
• Amaka Okafor
• 33 User reviews
• 31 Critic reviews
• 47 Metascore

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• Trivia Easyjet Airlines did not pay a penny towards the production costs despite featuring prominently in one song and dance scene. They did however loan the production team one of their Airbus aircraft (that was in the hangar having an overhaul) free of charge for 48 hours for filming on condition that the livery was kept intact and not covered up or changed.
• Goofs The beginning of the film takes place in 1993, when the schoolgirls are age 15/16 (and the same year Take That had their first number 1 UK single. The film was released in 2023. However the character of Rachel (Aisling Bea) refers to these events as being "25 years ago". So either the film is set in 2018 or the scriptwriters have lost five years somewhere in the mix. Note: The original stage musical was written in 2017 so they are presumably using the same script (which would make the timeline correct).

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• Aug 27, 2023
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• June 16, 2023 (United Kingdom)
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• Runtime 1 hour 52 minutes

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Take That musical Greatest Days to embark on tour in 2023

Timed to coincide with the 2023 release of the official movie version of the hit musical and celebrating the 20th anniversary of Take That’s first UK number one ‘Pray’, the tour will launch at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley from 5 to 13 May 2023.

Written by Tim Firth ( Kinky Boots , Our House ), Gary Barlow’s writing partner in his critically acclaimed foray into musical theatre, The Girls , the musical which was originally entitled The Band , traces the lives of five 16-year-old girls united in their love for a 1990s boyband who are reunited 25 years later as 40-something women trying to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

Commenting on the new production, Take That said: “We are so thrilled that this new production now titled Greatest Days is launching next year. We had an enormous amount of fun working on the original version and can’t wait to help bring this new production to over 30 cities across the UK and Ireland from May 2023.”

The new production will follow its Bromley run by visiting Manchester (Palace Theatre), Newcastle (Theatre Royal), Woking (New Victoria Theatre), Sheffield (Lyceum Theatre), Cardiff (Wales Millennium Centre), Milton Keynes Theatre, Liverpool (Empire Theatre), Wolverhampton (Grand Theatre) and Cheltenham (Everyman Theatre). Further venues and casting will be announced at a later date.

The musical launched in 2017 at the Manchester Opera House, the venue where Take That first performed in 1992. The fastest-selling UK tour of all time with ticket sales of £20 million, the show also played a successful West End Christmas season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018/2019.

Featuring over 15 Take That hits and the winners of the TV talent search Let It Shine , boyband Five To Five (AJ Bentley, Curtis T Johns, Nick Carsberg, Sario Solomon and Yazdan Qafouri), the first production of The Band starred Rachel Lumberg, Alison Fitzjohn, Emily Joyce, Jayne McKenna, Faye Christall, Katy Clayton, Rachelle Diedericks, Sarah Kate Howarth, Lauren Jacobs, Martin Miller and Andy Williams.

Elysian Film Group’s movie version of the show, Greatest Days starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams is directed by Coky Giedroyc.

Angela Thomas

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Churchill Theatre Bromley , Greatest Days , Take That , The Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical , Tim Firth

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Greatest Days

Take That Musical – Greatest Days – to Tour in 2023

Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical, with a book by award winning playwright Tim Firth, will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 5 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams.

Greatest Days celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK number 1 single Pray .

Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are Take That in 2022 and continue the legacy of one of the most successful band’s in British chart history, with over 45 million records sold worldwide and 12 number 1 hits in the UK.

Formed as a five-piece in 1989, they enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at number 2 & number 1 respectively.

Take That said: “We are so thrilled that this new production now titled ‘Greatest Days’ is launching next year.  We had an enormous amount of fun working on the original version and can’t wait to help bring this new production to over 30 cities across the UK and Ireland from May 2023.”

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Jennifer Ellison to star in The Official Take That Musical Greatest Days

First Look: The Official Take That Musical Greatest Days

The musical follows a group of five best friends in the 1990’s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls then reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.

Greatest Days features more than 15 of Take That’s record-breaking songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from the award-winning writer Tim Firth ( Calendar Girls, Our House, Kinky Boots ).

Greatest Days was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh & Daffyd Rogers + Take That. The UK tour of The Band originally opened at Manchester Opera House on 8 September 2017 and closed in March 2019, breaking box office records along the way. The musical ran for a limited West End season at Theatre Royal Haymarket over Christmas in 2018/19.

Casting to be announced, as well as further dates in cities such as Blackpool, Glasgow, Bristol, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Southampton, Truro, Leeds, Leicester and Birmingham.  More details can be found here.

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Full Cast Announced for The Official Take That Musical Greatest Days

Kym Marsh To Star Alongside Her Daughter Emilie Cunliffe In The Official Take That Musical – Greatest Days

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”Greatest Days” musical to star Kym Marsh and daughter Emilie Cunliffe

Some initial casting has been set for the upcoming tour of Take That musical Greatest Days .

The musical, originally titled The Band , will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour to coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of the show, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams.

It follows a group of friends who reunite and revel in their mutual love for the same boy band, and features Take That tunes including “Never Forget” and “Pray”.

Actress and singer Kym Marsh and her daughter Emilie Cunliffe (who has appeared on Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice ) will star as Rachel and Young Rachel respectively in the upcoming tour, which kicks off on 6 May in Bromley.

Marsh said: “I’m delighted to be returning to theatre and joining the cast of Greatest Days . I was in my early 20s when Take That were at the height of their fame and, of course, I was a huge Take That fan – who wasn’t?

“Their music takes me back to so many special times in my life as it will for so many other people. I’m thrilled to be working with my daughter, Emilie, too. She’s a real talent and I can’t wait to share the stage with her. Greatest Days is a wonderful, uplifting show with iconic music, a great storyline and I know people will love it.”

Emilie added “I’m really excited to be joining the cast of Greatest Days . I grew up listening to Take That with mum, so what an honour it is to be part of this brilliant musical celebrating their music. I’m really close to my mum and getting to work with her is a dream come true.”

The show is written by Tim Firth, with co-direction by Stacey Haynes and Tim Firth, choreography by Aaron Renfree, set and costume design by Lucy Osborne, lighting design by Rob Casey, sound design by Tony Gayle, casting by David Grindrod Burton Casting, musical supervision by John Donovan, and costume supervision by Martin Rodges.

Select tour dates are on sale below.

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‘The Greatest Hits’ Review: Yes, She Could Turn Back Time.

A high-concept movie about music and grief lacks follow through.

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By Alissa Wilkinson

“The Greatest Hits” literalizes the familiar heartache: You’re driving down the road, radio blaring at full tilt. Suddenly that song comes on, the one that reminds you of your ex, or of a time that was joyous but now is a sadness-tinged memory. Plunged back into that head space, you feel as though you’ve traveled through time. And the longing it prompts can be unbearable.

This is where Harriet (Lucy Boynton) finds herself, except instead of feeling as if she’s moving through time, she is truly hurtling through the fourth dimension. Since having lost her boyfriend, Max (David Corenswet), in a tragic accident, any song Harriet hears attached to memories of him catapults her, quite literally, back to the moment in their relationship when that song was playing. When she leaves the house, she wears noise-canceling headphones to protect against unexpected time travel provoked by radios and errant Spotify shuffles.

At home, though, she spends her nights trying to slip backward. Harriet has become obsessed with trying to return to a moment where she can set the world straight and ensure that Max won’t die, which means, even two years after his death, that she is still “hiding out in her grief,” as another character puts it. In the midst of this, at her grief support group, Harriet meets a nice guy named David (Justin H. Min), who’s dealing with loss of his own.

Ned Benson, who wrote and directed “The Greatest Hits,” has explored this territory before. His previous work, “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” was a trilogy, made up of two films that explored a couple’s grief-stricken, tumultuous relationship from each of their individual perspectives, and a third that combined them. (As the title suggests, music was part of the story, too.) That film felt personal, and so does this one. It earnestly evokes the way grief mires us in memory, making us feel as if our personal timelines are slip-sliding and looping, eternally arrested in the past. Moving forward seems impossible.

But “The Greatest Hits” lacks the imagination of “Eleanor Rigby” and, at times, seems like it might be in the wrong genre. It’s easy to imagine a rom-com version of this movie, since the elements are all there — the hip location (mostly the Silver Lake and Los Feliz neighborhoods of Los Angeles), the meet-cute, the queer best friend (a mainstay of the genre , for better or worse), the crates of vinyl records, the pining, the hot guys, even the chemistry. But this movie lacks the lightness and humor of a rom-com, which might balance out all the dreary moments and make it feel more watchable. The version that exists feels more suited for lovelorn teens just off their first breakup than adults moving through profound loss and sorrow, more acquainted with the ways life can’t just stop when tragedy strikes.

“The Greatest Hits” proceeds slowly and repetitively, which doesn’t have to be a problem: The gentleness of the pace and storytelling gives the cast space to breathe and react to each other, to build relationships that feel reasonably authentic. Similarly, the music choices (which are all over the map both in genre and era) are fun and fresh, lacking the on-the-nose quality that a film with more bang-on choices might have provoked. But as it goes on, the movie begins to feel mired in its own high-concept conceit without space to develop it further. Is there a reason the only music that triggers time travel for Harriet is connected to Max? Are there tunes that throw her back to times she prefers not to remember? Why is it important to recall that she used to be a music producer?

There’s an interesting film dancing around the edges of “The Greatest Hits,” but there’s both too much sentimentality and not enough thought, and that’s too bad. For audiences in search of a good cry, it may still do the job. But for those of us for whom the music-driven time travel experience is still metaphorical, it’s cold comfort, a fantasy with no hope of fulfillment.

The Greatest Hits Rated PG-13 for some language and innuendo, plus conversations about death and grief. Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes. Watch on Hulu.

Alissa Wilkinson is a Times movie critic. She’s been writing about movies since 2005. More about Alissa Wilkinson

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