Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK. This time around we are talking about the iconic, fabulous and glitzy tribute to Cher that is The Shoop Shoop Show starring Rachael Hawnt. We saw the show at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle. So settle in, and get ready to learn all about the Shoop Shoop Show!
Disclaimer: we were gifted a pair of free tickets and a chance to meet Rachael in exchange for an honest review of the show.
Let’s start with the negatives for this show, sadly the show is only 2 hours long. I WANT MORE!
The team behind the Shoop Shoop Show have absolutely hit the nail on the head with this show! The costuming, the acting, the interaction, the visuals, the music… everything is absolutely spot on.
Rachael embodies Cher, from the mannerisms to the vocal fry and iconic one liners. Honestly I was convinced we were seeing Cher at one point. Rachael gives it her all and has a blast on stage.
Speaking with Rachael before the show, she told us that the Cher impersonation was almost a missed opportunity. Rachael told us that during lockdown she had been approached to audition for a new show called Starstruck, where she chose Sia, Whitney and Freddie Mercury songs to sing. It was only at the audition that Rachael was asked to sing Cher. It was this choice to impersonate Cher, along with her insane vocal talent and musical ability, that led her to win the Starstruck.
All of this experience and stage time has clearly helped Rachael develop into a well rounded super star! Rachael took to the stage and every time she was present, she was the focus. And when she wasn’t on the stage we were waiting for her to come back out.
The costumes by Callum Harvey were full of fun, colour, bold shapes and reminicent of iconic Cher moments without being a cut and paste look. Perfect for the show and a great visual element!
The band, consisting of Ash Cutler, Dean Roberts, Sam Rommer, Ollie Woods and Nichola Pope, were utterly amazing! They kept the audience guided and included while appreciating the Cher experience. A huge shout out to Dean Robers who let the guitar roar during solos, and sung some awesome harmonies, as did Nichola Pope, who sung whilst also playing Saxaphone and Woodwind (not at the same time of course).
The show is a whistlestop tour of Chers most iconic moments! If you are a fan of Cher, live music or a good old sing along and dance, you will LOVE the Shoop Shoop Show.
Accessibility
This show features very loud music, flashing lights, lights shining into the audience and lots of audience interaction. The music and lighting isn’t sudden. There are visual and other audio queues that notify the audience that something will happen.
Value for Money
Tickets for The Shoop Shoop Show fall among the £30 mark with some premium seating costing more, and some restricted view costing less. I think £30 is a steal for this show, especially for Cher fans. You get stories, music, comedy and a really bloody good Cher impersonator! So much so, I feel like I can say I spent £30 to see Cher!
This show has nothing to pick up on in terms of faults, NOTHING. I just wanted more!
Have Your Say
Have you seen The Shoop Shoop Show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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