Review: Jackie the Musical at the Empire

So a 70’s musical extravaganza has arrived in Liverpool.

This evening The Guide Liverpool sent me to The Liverpool Empire to review the iconic 70’s stage show, Jackie The Musical….and I’ve literally never been more excited to write about a performance!

I asked my mum along to the performance as she has first hand experience of the hysteria that this legendary magazine caused back in the 60’s and 70’s and I just knew we’d both end up on our tiger feet, busting some serious moves to the long list of musical numbers.

Jackie the Musical - Liverpool Empire - The Guide Liverpool

The theatre was packed out as generations of families arrived for a trip down memory lane. From the minute the curtain went up to a classic David Cassidy number, I could see tonnes of friends and mums and daughters whispering memories to each other and singing along loud and proud to ‘I Love to Love’

The story follows Jackie, now 54 and going be through the motions of an emotional divorce. Seeking inspiration for a bright future while clearing out the family home, she comes across a whole back catalogue of Jackie magazines and turns to the Cathy and Claire advice columns of her youth, with surprising results.

With a love-struck teenage son, David and mad as a box of frogs best friend, Jill, Jackie, played superbly by Janet Dibley, charts the highs and lows of starting again (including online dating and drunk dialling).

Judging by the huge laughs, rapturous applause and standing ovation, Liverpool bloody loved the performance. The whole audience was on its feet dancing in the aisles to a brilliant encore medley of ‘Crazy Horses’ ’20th Century Boy’ and ‘Love is in the Air’

Huge congratulations to choreographer and former strictly judge, Arlene Phillips. With seemless set changes with fantastic musical interludes, the stage came alive with backing dancers throwing energetic shapes all over the place!

Ear wigging the conversations outside: “Our Carole used to hide her Jackie magazine so she didn’t have to share it with the rest of us’

“Your Nan used to buy me Jackie for my birthday every year, you’re all too spoiled these days, don’t know how lucky you are”

“shall we go again on Saturday Karen”

Me and my mum (who had her best bling on, that’s my girl, Mo!) had an absolute ball, sharing memories, dancing and laughing our heads off at the plot twists. A truly brilliant performance that brings friends and families together with a relatable story and stunning soundtrack!

There are still some tickets available, to book yours head to www.atgtickets.co.uk/shows/Jackie-the-musical/Liverpool-empire

Jackie The Musical, runs from June 28th to July 2nd at The Empire Theatre, Liverpool.