BEING part of a brand new musical is always a special experience. But when you are part of a brand new musical which features the songs which were the soundtrack for a generation, that’s something else.
“There’s a huge responsibility,” said Jessica Daley, one of the stars of I Should Be So Lucky, the musical based on the songs of Stock, Aitken and Waterman which is premiering in Manchester.
“But also as a performer it’s something really special. You are essentially creating something from scratch; there’s no blueprint to step into and it’s lots of fun.”
Work on the show has been underway for several months and before that there were a series of workshops to test out ideas even before the production got the green light.
Jessica - who has previously starred in Mamma Mia in London and UK tours of An Officer and a Gentleman and The Sound of Music - was part of the original workshops.
“It’s been interesting to see how some of the things we tried in the workshops have remained in the show but many other new elements have come in during the rehearsal process. The structure of the show can change every day.”
I Should Be So Lucky is based around a bride, Ella, who is jilted at the altar but rather than let her wallow in despair her family and bridal party head off to enjoy the honeymoon with her anyway.
Jessica plays Britney, the jilted bride’s sister.
“She’s an absolute party animal. She’s kind of me and my friends about five years ago,” she laughed, “although we have mellowed out since then.
“I think she’s certainly a character a lot of people will be able to relate to. She’s in her early 30s and is still trying to figure life out. She loves to have a good time and be the life and soul of the party.
“It’s very much a part I relate to in a number of ways but also not in a lot of ways as well.”
I Should Be So Lucky has been brought to the stage by an A-list creative team headed up by Debbie Isitt, responsible for the hugely successful Nativity shows and Jason Gilkison, the creative director of Strictly Come Dancing.
“Working with a director and writer like Debbie is just a joy,” said Jessica, “she’s got the most incredible mind
“It can’t be a Stock, Aitken and Waterman musical where the music doesn’t take centre stage. Their catalogue of songs does lend itself to the story and Debbie is so brilliant at building this chaos around them.
“The show’s such fun. It’s bonkers and brilliant and is full of pure joy and escapism. But it’s also very touching and very emotional in a lot of ways.”
For a period from the mid-80s to around 1993, music producers Stock Aitken and Waterman dominated the charts with countless hits by the likes of Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Sonia and Jason Donovan.
The new musical features many of their biggest hits.
“I’m not sure if I should say which songs I get to sing,” said Jessica coyly. “But they are absolute bangers.
“Actually until I did the workshop of the show I wasn’t really aware of one of the songs but it is an absolute tune.”
During rehearsals for the show, pint-sized pop princess Kylie spent a few hours with the case.
“We’d got a feeling that she might come to a rehearsal at some point,” said Jessica, “but when she did pop in it was so cool.
“She was the best. We got to perform some of the sections of the show for her and she got quite emotional. Those songs hold a lot of memories for her.
“But that’s also true for a lot of people who we hope will come to the show.
“These songs are part of their core memories growing up. It’s our responsibility as performers to make sure that the work is delivered in the best way possible.
“It’s why we do what we do. You want to create something that lets people escape or go on an emotional journey - I hate to use that word - but it’s true. “You want to make them feel something, whether that’s joy or sadness. We want you to come and have an experience.”
Having been involved in I Should Be So Lucky for so long, Jessica and the rest of the cast can’t wait to get the show on stage and then take it on tour.
It will be in Manchester until November 25 before heading off around the country.
“I think by the end, we were certainly ready to leave the rehearsal room,” she laughed. “But it’s been such a laugh putting it together.
“It’s a pleasure to be with a great group of people getting to sing those songs every night. - it’s such an uplifting show.
“You could be in the worst mood possible when you arrive at the theatre but by the end you’ll leave singing your head off with a massive smile on your face.”
I Should Be So Lucky is at Manchester Opera House until Saturday, November 25. Details from www.atgtickets.com
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