Viva Forever The Musical Theatre poster.
Viva Forever! was a jukebox musical written by Jennifer Saunders, produced by Judy Craymer and directed by Paul Garrington.
Based on the songs of the Spice Girls, a British pop girl group formed in 1994, the show began previews at the Piccadilly Theatre, London on 27 November 2012 and had its Press Night on 11 December 2012 and featured some of the group's biggest hit songs including "Wannabe", "Spice Up Your Life" and the eponymous "Viva Forever".
Background[]
In 2010, Judy Craymer teamed up with Geri Halliwell, Simon Fuller (the one-time manager of the Spice Girls) and Universal Music to start developing a musical entitled Viva Forever!, based on the songs of the Spice Girls. Although the Spice Girls themselves were not to be in the show, they were to influence the show's cast and production choices in a story which uses their music but bears no relation to their personal story. This approach is similar to that of ABBA's music in Mamma Mia!, a show which Craymer produced and help turn into a global phenomenon.] In August 2010, it was reported that Jennifer Saunders would be writing the script.[4] Saunders had twice previously worked with the group: the first time, appearing in the Comic Relief version of the "Who Do You Think You Are" video, the second, making a cameo appearance in the 1997 feature film, Spice World.
On 26th June 2012, to promote the launch of the show, all five former Spice Girls attended a press conference in London at the St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel, the location where the group filmed the music video for their breakthrough hit "Wannabe," sixteen years earlier, to the day.
Production - West End (2012-present)[]
On 13 July 2012, the first casting was announced with Hannah John-Kamen as Viva and Sally Ann Triplett as her mother Lauren and following previews from 27 November 2012, Viva Forever! opened in the West End on 11th December 2012 at the Piccadilly Theatre[ after a delayed start, due to the late arrival of Victoria Beckham, one of the original group members.
A London performance ran for 2hrs 30mins, including one interval of 15 minutes.
However sadly on 2nd May 2013 it was officially announced by Producer, Judy Cramer, that Viva Forever was to be officially axed and had its last ever performance on 29th June 2013.
Musical Plot[]
The musical was based on a band member named Viva who lives on a houseboat. The story starts when her band, Eternity gets through to the audition stages of a TV show similar to Britain's Got Talent or possibly X Factor. The band get through multiple rounds of the auditions, but on the final round, Viva gets through, without her fellow band mates. As Viva follows her dreams, Viva Forever! charts her journey into the world of overnight celebrity and its impact on her mother and the friends she thought she’d have forever.
Principal roles and original cast[]
The following cast and characters are confirmed to be part of the show:[
|
Character |
Character description |
Original West End actor / actress |
|
Viva |
A 20 year old girl, who lives on a houseboat with her adoptive mother, and is a member of a four piece all-girl band. |
Hannah John-Kamen |
|
Lauren |
Viva's adoptive mother, who lives with her daughter on a houseboat. |
|
|
Luce |
A member of Viva's band, and Viva's friend. |
Siobhan Athwal |
|
Diamond |
A member of Viva's band, and Viva's friend. |
Lucy Phelps |
|
Holly |
A member of Viva's band, and Viva's friend. |
Dominique Provost-Chalkey |
|
Suzi |
Lauren's best friend. |
|
|
Mitch |
Lauren's friend. |
|
|
Simone |
A TV talent show judge. |
|
|
Johnny |
A Judge on Viva's TV talent show. |
|
|
Karen |
A Judge on Viva's TV talent show. |
Tamara Wall |
|
Angel |
The musical director of the TV talent show |
|
|
Minty |
A production assistant for the TV talent show |
Hatty Preston |
|
Leon |
A stylist for the TV talent show |
Simon Adkins |
|
Lance |
The presenter for the TV talent show |
|
|
Ensemble |
Ensemble members |
Tom Kanavan, Zak Nemorin, Curtis Angus, Luke Jackson, Oliver Roll, David Rudin, Darren Carnall, Myles Brown, Charlotte Gorton, Rebecca McKinnis, Lucy Thatcher, Roxanne Palner, Charlotte Walcott, Sophie Carmen-Jones, Carla Nella, Kirstie Skinvington, Helen Ternent
|
Musical numbers[]
The show will include 23 musical numbers, featuring some of the Spice Girls' biggest hits including a mashup of "Mama" and "Goodbye", as well as two solo songs from the group's solo efforts: "Look at Me" by Geri Halliwell and "I Turn to You" by Melanie C.
At Launch Act 1[]
The show began with the following musical numbers:
|
At Launch Act 2[]
- Act II
- "Move Over" / "Tell Me Why" - Leon, Viva, Luce, Diamond, Holly, The Company
- "Time Goes By" - Viva
- "Who Do You Think You Are" - Simone, Viva, & The Company
- "Spice Up Your Life" - Viva, & The Company
- "Viva Forever" - Angel & Viva
- "2 Become 1" - Lauren & Mitch
- "I Turn to You" - Simone
- "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" - Viva & Lauren
- "Saturday Night Divas" (Reprise) - The Company
- "Wannabe" (Reprise) - Viva, Luce, Diamond, Holly & The Company
Launch Encore[]
- "Stop" (Reprise) - The Company
- "Spice Up Your Life" (Reprise) - The Company
- Playout ("Who Do You Think You Are") - The Orchestra
Adapted show[]
After numerous changes, the show was edited to:
Act I[]
|
Act 2[]
- "Move Over/ Tell Me Why" - Viva, Company
- "Who Do You Think You Are" - Simone, Viva, Company
- "Spice Up Your Life" - Viva, Company
- "Viva Forever" - Angel, Viva
- "2 Become 1" - Lauren, Mitch
- "Wannabe" (Reprise) - Viva, Luce, Diamond, Holly, Company
Encore[]
- "Megamix" - Whole Cast
Critical response[]
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | West End Frame Awards | Best Jukebox Musical |
Won | |
Viva Forever Musical Website[]
http://www.vivaforeverthemusical.com/tickets_google.asp?gclid=CJD1uLW14bYCFXMRtAod-gEAKA