It's Showtime... The Cher Show: Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham!

Being back at the theatre felt right, gracing Birmingham Hippodrome's presence took me back to the city! You already know that I wanted to see a show about an icon, living legend and superstar vocalist! Booking up my ticket to see the 'Cher Show' on the 4th of August 2022 was a no-brainer, of course I 'Believe' in life after love! I was ready for all of the hits! Truly C, all of them!

With a back catalogue of legendary hits, 'Cher' has always been a firm music favourite of mine. From 'Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves', 'I've Got You Babe' and 'If I Could Turn Back Time', 'Cher's' everlasting career has spanned decades with no signs of slowing down! During early 2022, I found myself looking for a show to see after my March visit to London's West End. Seeing Tuckshop's 'Death Drop' had motivated me to see another musical showcase. Choosing Birmingham Hippodrome, I therefore went onto find the 'Cher Show'. This musical spectacular didn't cost me the earth, neither would it feature the actual 'Cher', for the price I knew full fell that the 76 year old icon wouldn't physically be appearing in the show. Prior to my August 2022 day out to see that show, it was hilarious to see people complaining that they didn't see the actual 'Cher' in the show! What were they actually expecting? It's an autobiographical show, not an audience with! Even the cast clapped back at those audience members in the comments! No!

Cher hasn't performed for a while, well before the Pandemic anyway, with a UK tour of this theatre show, I had to see it for myself! Fronted by three 'Cher's', each powerhouse leading lady narrated a portion of 'Cher's' life from her childhood during the 1950's right through to the 2000 release of 'Believe'. Accompanied by a streamlined cast, the three leading ladies worked together as the 'Cher's of the past, present and future, complimenting each other perfectly. Fresh from Broadway, 'Arlene Phillips' directed the UK and Ireland run of the 'Cher Show'. Former Strictly professional dancer, 'Oti Mabuse' choreographed the show with 'Gabriella Slade' as costume designer. I for one loved the stage with 'CHER' present throughout, that dazzling sign cemented what show I had sat down to see! Where were those Gay's at? I felt like the side had been let down! Honestly, they had better came through for those evening shows! Letting the side down and then some, baby! Follow this you bitches! Oh, 'Cher' would say that! So, bring on the show! 

Broken, defeated and despondent, 'Cher' ignored her call to the stage, she felt as if she couldn't go on with that performance. Scooped up by her fellow incarnations, we were presented with the 'early years'. Plagued by bullies, Cher's American-Armenian ancestry became the source of torment as she was picked on for being 'different'. Knowing what her passion was, she dropped out of school and set her sights on the bright lights of Hollywood. It didn't take long for the first 'Cher' to meet 'Sonny Bono', a budding showman who went onto mould him and 'Cher' into the TV ready couple that they became. Hitting the big time, the 1970's rolled around with a new story, still with 'Sonny' by her side. The cracks behind the stardust were present to us for the very first time, it was astonishing to she 'Cher' being worked so hard by 'Sonny' for such little, she checked that contract to see truly how tight those puppet strings had been set at! Just like 'Ike and Tina', another stormy showbiz relationship headed for doom! 'Cher' wanted a break!

With a child, 'Cher' worked her contract out and filed for divorce from 'Sonny', she loved him deeply but his controlling manner wasn't something she could deal with any longer. Finding love with a 'rockstar', she finished her 'Sonny & Cher' TV gigs visibly pregnant with 'Allman's' baby showing. Cher moved to New York City, transitioning to the third 'Cher', the second leading lady had narrated 'Cher's' 'Sonny Days' perfectly, such sorrow was presented to us within that autobiographical theatre setting. Yes, with a child and a baby, 'Cher' found herself in the 'Big Apple', she had lost everything but she became an actress. The 80's saw 'Cher' back in Las Vegas, touring and battling her way through a world of commanding men! We saw that her next musical comeback saw her rise as an actress for a period of time. With 'Mermaids' and 'Moonstruck' under her belt, 'Cher' forged her way back to superstardom, regardless! The show had transported me through a time-machine, it truly felt like an education of 'Cher!' Absolutely!

Blinded by love, the third and final 'Cher' found herself in a trickier than tricky love scenario. Her then new found love reignited a longing to live a normal life but her calling back to her hectic life on the road, well that won! 'Believe' and 'Strong Enough' were both on the horizon, a new 'Cher' beckoned! Finding herself at a crossroads, 'Cher' reinvented herself once again, as the times changed then she would also! With this new thing called 'auto-tune', leading to the phrase 'the Cher effect', the everlasting icon came back onto the world stage with 'Believe'. It was a comeback like no other, in the show we saw the third 'Cher' ready herself to take the stage. The journey the three 'Cher's' had been on had readied that final performance, the ups and downs had schooled the modern day 'Cher' that she had been through the worst and she had come out the other side stronger than ever! After following those years from the start, it was almost time for the finale! Don't count them out yet! We hadn't seen the last of the 'Cher's!' Come on, finale! 

There was certainly no fade out, the cast came out onto the stage to show us what they were made of! Far from over, the encore was amazing, staying right there it was a treat to hear a medley of 'Cher' classics and some her more upbeat numbers! I for one had to get up on my feet, clapping and singing along, well you know I knew the words! Birmingham's Hippodrome hadn't seen the last of me, after a seriously long break, that absence was broken with the 'Cher Show!' Finding everything and more, the show showed me a raw and endearing view into 'Cher's' story, from the highs to the deepest lows. The three women who played 'Cher', well they were fantastic! The whole cast provided a song and dance also, the show left me singing 'Cher' songs for the rest of the day! Of course, the dark times were present but with so many feel good anthems and triumphant moments, I took away so much joy from the 'Cher Show!' If truth be told, I always play a little bit of 'Cher' when I am feeling down, she is my medicine! Honestly, praise 'Cher!' 

Mom, I Am A Rich Man! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure