Spice Girls musical takes aim at talent show judges and the dark side of fame

 
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Alistair Foster28 September 2012

Spice Girls fans could be forgiven for assuming that new musical Viva Forever! is a tribute to the girl band.

It is, however, a satirical swipe at the influence of X Factor-style TV talent shows and our celebrity-obsessed culture, says producer Judy Craymer.

Craymer, who was behind the hit Mamma Mia!, was speaking as the cast of the West End production was unveiled.

The show, written by Jennifer Saunders, of Absolutely Fabulous fame, is based on the music of the Spice Girls. The central character is Viva, a member of a four-piece girl band that enters a TV talent show, placing a strain on their friendship as their lives are turned upside down.

Craymer said: “I’m sure people will have preconceptions. In the early days of Mamma Mia! I was permanently telling people how this wasn’t the story of Abba, and I’m going to be permanently telling people this is not the story of the Spice Girls.

“Jennifer has written a romantic comedy. When I was first approached by the Spice Girls about whether I was interested in creating something based on their music, I was fascinated by what girl power stood for.

“Jennifer has written a very contemporary story, which deals with the chaos that TV talent shows can bring upon families and the girls’ desire to be famous. It’s also about a certain ridiculousness, of how TV talent shows have dominated our lives, how the judges are perceived as the gods of Olympus.”

The show’s premiere on December 11 is expected to be attended by the band members and their families, including Victoria Beckham’s husband David.

Newcomer Hannah John Kamen, 23, a graduate of the Central School of Speech and Drama, will play Viva, with veteran West End star Sally Ann Triplett as her mother Lauren.

The other band members are played by Siobhan Athwal, Lucy Phelps and Dominique Provost-Chalkley, who will be making their major West End debuts in the Piccadilly Theatre production.

The girls also warned fans that it is not a Spice Girls tribute show. Athwal, 23, from south-east London, said: “It’s a romantic comedy that is about love and friendship, and not losing yourself. Staying true to yourself was always the message of the Spice Girls, and it is the message that is embodied in this show.” Kamen, from East Yorkshire, said: “I had all the Spice Girls merchandise when I was young. I used to dress up as Scary Spice. When I had my Brownies initiation I had my Spice Girls top and leopardskin everything.” Provost-Chalkley, 23, said: “I had all the dolls and I used to make clothes for them on the sewing machine with my family.”

The girls said they had already formed a bond. Kamen said: “It’s just a natural vibe. When we started reading scenes, we were like, ‘That’s what it’s supposed to be like!’ It was almost like a game of Tetris — all the bits just fell into place.”

Phelps, 25, from Worcester, said: “Jennifer is just such a fantastic, creative writer. She and Judy have both looked after us, they have both very much taken up a motherly role with us.”

The script has only just been finalised and was given to the cast — which also includes Lucy Montgomery, Simon Slater and Bill Ward — this week.

Tickets are available from vivaforeverthemusical.com

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