The Band – Leeds Grand

I WENT to the Grand at Leeds not knowing what to expect with The Band other than the cast were going to be singing songs from my favourite band ever, Take That.

The curtains opened and wow, what a treat the packed audience received from start to finish.

The stage was really well-set with ingenuous arrangements which helped the show move along at the pace it required, so much so that I was gobsmacked when the interval arrived as it seemed to be over in a flash.

The creation of some of the sets was amazing and very cleverly done, for example the airport scene and the Statue in Prague.

Is the story of five best friends who idolise “The Band” and make a promise when they are 16 to meet up 25 years later no matter what.

A heartbreaking story was told along the way, and I for one was not the only person crying at different parts of the show. The story is told perfectly by an amazing cast that have beautiful voices and stage presence.

Each of the band members, who I followed in the TV talent show Let It Shine, truly let themselves not only shine but sparkle.

Each was given the opportunity to lead a number of songs and with every boy band you always have that one favourite, and as I’m a Yorkshire lass, Leeds’s very own Curtis John might of had the edge.

But saying that, all of the other band members AJ Bentley, Sario Solomon, Nick Carsberg and Yazdan Qafouri were flawless in their high-octane dance routines, and their harmonies as a group were a joy to listen to.

Although the band are an integral part of the show the main story and plot revolves around the five best friends.

I thought the reveal from young to old at the airport was brilliant and the actresses maintained the characters that we had grown to love as teenagers, but also had us laughing and crying in equal measures as their story was told.

Rachelle Diedericks played Debbie: I cannotbelieve this was her first professional credit, because she certainly didn’t show any signs of that in her performance.

Martin Miller (Jeff) was the partner of Rachel, and he was comical and lovable, just seeming to get it all right in the end.

A big mention needs to go to Andy Williams who plays Every Dave: he is a joy to watch in his many different roles, each one played perfectly.

The songs were sung effortlessly and note-perfect, and for the finale I think just about all the audience was up on their feet leaving us feeling as though we’d just been to watch a concert.

Definitely a show I would love to go and watch again and again.

* Until March 31. Visit leedsgrandtheatre.com or call 0844 8482700 to book tickets.

Laura Harness