I Can't Sing! / our review

CRINGEY Quirky zany

Mar 28th, 2014

Natalie Vincent

Natalie Vincent

Zany, cheeky, chaotic - sometimes juvenile - but massively fun

Reviewed by Natalie Vincent, 28/3/2014

Great night out: If you enjoy random, time-relevant jokes ("a penny off a pint!") and satirical humour lampooning the X-Factor franchise
Best bit: The main number, "I Can't Sing" - that VOICE!
Recommend to friends? Those who appreciate satire, uplifting numbers, and laughing at Simon Cowell. So, everyone.
Morning after effect: Ending your sentences to everyone with, "pet".
Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars

Is it a true parody, when the person you are lampooning has thrown his weight behind you? After watching Harry Hill's colourfully chaotic X-Factor musical, "I Can't Sing", where Simon Cowell's thirst for success and fame is gently prodded at, it may be a case of "If I can't beat them, I might as well join them".

The story follows ever-optimistic, impoverished young woman Chenice, played by the West End's sure-fire next big star Cynthia Erivo, on her journey through the X-Factor auditions and live finals, with the ultimate tragic "back story" - and a voice - that the other contestants would die for. Except that Harry Hill's acerbic writing has made it as callously funny as possible; her grandfather dies when his iron lung fails, due to Chenice's accident-prone love interest Max (Alan Morrissey), mucking about with the electrics in their caravan. Yet you just can't stop laughing.

There are so many entertaining characters that it's impossible to give them all credit. The plot is sometimes wafer-thin in places; you half expect the Wind to whip it about the auditorium (a laugh-stealing Luke Baker in vivid blue rags and flailing arms), but West End favourite Simon Lipkin puppeteering Chenice?s dog Barlow whilst zooming around on a wheeled shinpad, helpfully provides caustic asides every few minutes ("I know it's not exactly War Horse, but I'm doing my best here!").

The jokes are sometimes dark and cringy, with references to "going back on the game", cremated ashes and "self-love" (I'm talking to you, Barlow), but nothing hugely offensive - it's Harry Hill, after all. The only problematic area for me was the stereotypical portrayal of a Nigerian security guard featured throughout for comedic effect.

There are plenty of visual jokes to be had, including an Eighties denim clad trio "SOUL STAR" (or when standing in the wrong order, their t-shirts read as "ARSOUL ST"), a beatboxing Quasimodo with trip-hopping monks, and alluding to Harmon's stint in Shrek: The Musical, with fake legs.

Su-Bo, Dermot 'O'Leary (or Liam O'Dearie), Sinitta and Jedward (as the cute but irritating Alterboyz) are given their dues whilst Cheryl Cole (aka Jordy) and Louis Walsh both come in for particularly cruel lampooning; credit goes to Simon Bailey as Liam, who must have spent months studying O'Leary's mannerisms and love of hugs from random strangers (The Hugging Song).

Harman's stage time as Cowell is limited, but he steals his every scene with biting remarks and over-the-top narcissism, he?s flamboyantly ridiculous in the second act number "Fabulous", complete with showgirls, a sparkly tux and impossibly (hopefully fake) white dental implants.

My verdict: Don?t go looking for a deep and philosophical critique of talent show culture, but enjoy it for what it ashamedly sets out to be zany, cheeky, chaotic, sometimes juvenile, but massively fun viewing... pet.

View our show pages for more information about I Can't Sing!, London Palladium.

I Cant Sing, London Palladium, London

I Can't Sing!

4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating4 star rating

London Palladium: Closed May 10, 2014

Harry Hill takes an irreverent look at the TV juggernaut that is the X Factor. This highly anticipated new musical follows contestant Chenice as she embarks on her path to fame. A gloriously twisted tale...more info

Book TicketsBook tickets for I Cant Sing, London Palladium, London

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