Tell Me On A Sunday Review

"A fantastic couple of hours of theatre"

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's one-woman song cycle is superbly revived with Jodie Prenger taking the role portrayed by numerous performers down the years.

Tell Me on a Sunday tells of English, Emma in New York, and the trials and tribulations of her love life. We get to a vision into Emma's multiple failed romances with different men. Her only real connection is with her mother whom she communicates through letters. 

Jodie Prenger in the 2016 production. Photo by Tristram Kenton

The hour-long performance requires a dynamic personality to convey a variety of emotions. Jodie Prenger is outstanding throughout. Returning to a role she played back in 2016 at The Watermill Theatre, she expertly portrays the correct emotion in every scene particularly in a moving rendition of the title number. She has a diva-like charm and a voice that is a delight to listen to. Right from the opening scene, she is captivating and hugely likable. It's a truly brilliant performance.

The music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black features some lovely tunes including 'Take That Look Off Your Face' and the titular 'Tell Me On A Sunday'. Black's lyrics make Emma's experiences land with the right feel and believability. Lloyd Webber's tunes combine with the lyrics to make a soundtrack that is rightly celebrated.

Though Prenger performers on her own she is joined by a 5 piece band under the musical direction of Francis Goodhand. They deliver that Lloyd Webber score with real pizzazz. 

Jodie Prenger in the 2016 production. Photo by Tristram Kenton 

With the show only running at an hour, which is why it has previously been combined as Song and Dance, there's an additional second half after an interval that sees Prenger host an intimate Q and A with questions being invited on signs with a number for audiences to text in. Prenger did take a tumble over part of the set as she entered - thankfully she appeared unharmed and laughed it off.

The Q and A allows for an insight into Prenger's take on the role and her career to date. It also allows for her infectious personality to shine out. She is hilarious and so at ease in front of an audience.

The second half featured some lovely performances with Francis Goodhand accompanying on the piano. It was wonderful to hear Jodie belt out 'Oom-Pah-Pah' from Oliver! and well as a fantastic duet between Jodie and her understudy Jodie Beth Meyer of the Lloyd Webber 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall'. Meyer also giving a great rendition of 'Whistle Down The Wind'.

A fantastic couple of hours of theatre in the safe hands of Prenger and company.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jodie Prenger is on dazzling form in this charming well-rounded production.

Tell Me On A Sunday continues at Curve until Saturday 16th October with tickets available from curveonline.co.uk. The tour continues thereafter tickets available from https://tellmeontour.co.uk/

Jodie Prenger in the 2016 production. Photo by Tristram Kenton