Saturday Night Fever has hit Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. I’m a huge fan of the 1977 film starring John Travolta therefore I was hugely excited to hear that the Saturday Night Fever Tour was heading to Cardiff. Sadly, I ended up not being able to make it but my sister, Ceri attended to tell me all about it. Read on to find out more:
Saturday Night Fever tells the iconic story of working-class, disco-dancing legend, Tony Manero (John Travolta) as he struggles to cope with the realities of life outside of the Brooklyn club scene.
Paying homage to the 70’s cult-classic, this new version is crammed full of drama and classic 70’s disco tracks by the Bee Gees; including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, More Than A Woman and plenty more songs to keep you strutting in the aisles.
Adapted for stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oaks the musical features Richard Winsor in the lead role (Casualty, Matthew Bourne’s Swanlake and Streetdance 3D).
Saturday Night Fever runs until Saturday 1st December and would make an excellent show to go and watch before a night of disco dancing or a works Christmas party. Tickets start from £22 and there are some still available.
In this production, Tony Manero, the iconic, charismatic working class disco dancer is played by Richard Winsor. I’m a huge Casualty fan (I wept when Winsor’s character Caleb was killed off) and at first I struggled to envisage him playing Tony. Ceri has reassured me that he is very “John Travolta” and very cool in the show. The audience certainly thought so as Tony changed into the infamous three piece white suit, they went wild cheering and wolf whistling a shirtless Winsor. I hear he is also very good in all the fully clothed scenes too! As a professionally trained ballet dancer Richard Winsor is captivating in all the dance scenes, leading the rest of the cast in flawless routines while also portraying Tony’s sensitive side.
An interesting addition to this production are The Bee Gees! As the fabulous movie soundtrack was written and performed by the talented brothers they even get a starring role on the podium in the live show. This works really well where they provide the disco music but not so well at times when the cast are leading a song.
During Saturday Night Fever the whole theatre becomes the discotheque as disco balls are lowered amongst the audience sparkling light around the room inviting you to join in, you’ll find yourself singing and dancing along from the beginning to the end during the dance numbers.
But it’s not all bright disco lights in Tony Manero’s life. The live show also shows the dark times that he tries to escape from on those Saturday nights. The film is rated 18 but the stage show age guidance is 12+ but due to adult themes some scenes are more suitable for an older audience and this gritty show does contain a lot of swearing.
Overall, Saturday Night Fever is about the music! If like Tony, you want an escape from your everyday life, come to the show. The classic greatest hits from the Bee Gees, including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep is Your Love, Tragedy and More Than a Woman will have you clapping and singing along with no worries. At the end of the show the audience gave a standing ovation and then were kept on their feet dancing hoping the show wouldn’t end as the cast performed once more…
Watch the trailer here:
Buy tickets for Saturday Night Fever, Wales Millennium Centre: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2018/saturday-night-fever/
Watch Saturday Night Fever Tour at a Theatre near you: Saturday Night Fever Tour
More shows to look out for: Six Christmas Shows In South Wales
Diary of the Evans-Crittens were given two tickets to press night for purposes of this review.
Nostalgia and a great evening – looks like you had an amazing time