Club Tropicana

High camp and high energy, this jukebox musical features classic pop songs from the 1980s all set in a Spanish holiday resort. Neon bright and lightning paced, it smacks the audience round the face throughout and forces it on its feet with a megamix finale.

That might be a great night out for some but sadly the paper thin plot and the inconsistent direction make this a night to remember for all the wrong reasons. Whilst it’s generally sung and danced well by the enthusiastic cast, notably the stand-out vocals of Cellen Chugg Jones as Olly, some of the acting choices are questionable with many of the leads creating caricatures rather than believable characters. At times it all becomes a bit panto with Joe McElderry leading the cast as Buttons, sorry Garry. Nevertheless, Kate Robbins channels her inner Mrs Overall to deliver a funny Consuela and – the surprise for me - Amelle Berrabah delivers a rounded, sensitive performance as Serena, the hotel receptionist.

Still not my glass of sangria, though.

Daryl Bennett