We've come so far, but we hope for more

Never Forget, Royal Centre, Nottingham, 28 October 2009

I'm not a big fan of musical theatre and this isn't the usual way I would spend a Wednesday evening. It certainly wouldn't have been my first thought if someone said 'do you want to see Take That?'

But Take That have been a part of my life for the best part of two decades (mainly in that heart-crushing 'why won't Howard realise his destiny and marry me' way rather than musically) and most of my usual gang of TT girls were going so it sounded like a giggle.

So, what's the deal here? Is it just people who aren't Take That performing Take That songs while getting enthusiastic with the jazz hands? Not quite, as the blurb on their website says: "Five young men enter a local talent competition, each looking for a way out and a step up. Along the way they discover fame comes at a price but friendships last forever." (Isn't that a lesson we've all learnt?)

I was sceptical to say the least but I was sucked into the story from the offset. Nice nods toward the characters in the real Take That meant me and the girls were sharing laughs and knowing looks a-plenty. They even used the scenery to share in-jokes with the crowd - in the pub a blackboard read: "Free pint of William's stout with every Barlow's Bitter" (although the "Oasis Meal Deal - Buy a Pint and Get A 'Roll With It'" is dated to say the least).

The songs are re-worked really well except perhaps (favourite of my TT girls) Once You've Tasted Love which seemed less sexy and more seedy. It was good to hear some of the lesser known older tracks like Every Guy as well. Not one which is let out of the stable very often by The Real Take That so any opportunity to sing-a-long is taken.

The cast was strong though, and the audience were with them all the way even after having the show stopped and theatre evacuated minutes into the second act. But there was excellent comedy timing (and Frank Spencer homages) from Tom Bradley as Adrian Banks (or Mark Owen) and a camaraderie between the boys make you really root for them and want them to succeed. This is a cast who clearly laugh with each other and enjoy being part of this show.

The finale is all about the feel-good factor and reliving those Take That tour moments as everyone is encouraged to get to their feet, sing and do the Big Arms to Never Forget. If you love them boys (and in case you were unsure I do love them boys) it's impossible to resist singing and dancing in the aisles with a theatre full of other fans.

The only disappointing thing for me is that there was more atmosphere at this staged-story of made-up tribute band than there was down the front at The Circus tour this year. The demographic of people going to see The Real Take That may be (mostly) older and more restrained but it turns out the TT Army is still dancing into battle, just not where you'd expect.

Picture credit: Lauren 'Owen' Noakes.