Centre Stage Productions are currently presenting The Band, a jukebox musical featuring the hits of Take That.

The show began on October 10, and it will continue until Saturday, October 18.

Unlike a tribute show, the musical incorporates the band’s songs into an original story about friendship, memory, and growing up.

Set in the 1990s, the narrative follows five teenage girls who bond over their shared love of a boy band. 25 years later, they reunite for a trip to Prague after one of them wins concert tickets.

The journey prompts reflection on the past and explores how music can shape lives. It includes popular tracks such as ‘Pray’, ‘Back for Good’, ‘Rule the World’, ‘Never Forget’, and ‘Greatest Day’.

The characters in the show include young Rachel (portrayed by Maddie Wood); young Heather (Katie-Rose Hughes); young Zoe (Phoebe Cringle); young Claire (Aalish Webster); young Debbie (Daisy Maddocks); Rachel (Sam Faragher); Heather (Sophie Lancaster); Zoe (Lauren Newson); Claire (Stacie Murphy); Jeff (Peter Shimmin); and Dave (Neil J. King).

The four boys of the band are played by Bryan Del Rosario, Ben Gale, Jay O'Connell, and Ross Angwin.

The ensemble cast also features Angela Gerrard, Catherine Harrison, Shannon Skillen, Sherrie Poultney, Adrian Cowin, Emma Stratford, Erin Faragher, Abby Vance and Caitlyn Hampson.

The production is directed by Mark Hilton, with musical direction by Claire Temple, choreography by Molly Bowman, and assistant direction by Peter Shimmin.

A spokesperson from Centre Stage Productions commented: ‘The Band promises a fun, nostalgic, and uplifting night out.

‘It’s perfect for groups of friends, a family evening, or anyone looking for a lively escape filled with music and laughter.’

Tickets are available via the VillaGaiety box office and website. Prices are £27.50 (stalls) and £29 (dress circle).

For more information on the show and to book tickets, you can visit https://www.villagaiety.com/theband

Take That put their vocal chords to work
Putting their vocal chords to work (Ciaran Broad)
The grown up Rachel, Heather, Zoe and Claire
Sophie Lancaster as Heather, Sam Faragher as Rachel, Lauren Newson as Zoe and Stacie Murphy as Claire (Ciaran Broad)
Lights, camera, action!
Bryan Del Rosario, Ross Angwin, Ben Gale and Jay O'Connell (Ciaran Broad)
The Band's very own Take That
The Band (Ciaran Broad)
The girls reunite for a spontaneous trip to Prague when one of them wins a ticket to a concert
Lauren Newson as Zoe, Sam Faragher as Rachel, Stacie Murphy as Claire and Sophie Lancaster as Heather (Ciaran Broad)
The narrative follows five teenage girls in the 1990s whose lives revolve around their favourite band
Katie-Rose Hughes as Heather, Phoebe Cringle as Zoe, Daisy Maddocks as Debbie, Aalish Webster as Claire and Maddie Wood as Rachel (Ciaran Broad)
The cast features local talent, continuing Centre Stage Productions’ tradition of community engagement
The cast features local talent, continuing Centre Stage Productions’ tradition of community engagement (Ciaran Broad)
Young Rachel, young Heather, young Zoe, young Claire and young Debbie
Phoebe Cringle as Zoe, Katie-Rose Hughes as Heather, Daisy Maddocks as Debbie, Maddie Wood as Rachel and Aalish Webster as Claire (Ciaran Broad)