Hi de Hi! meets the Hotel Inspector in the show described as the Love Island of the eighties.
Club Tropicana The Musical recently visited The Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh.
The story follows young Olly (Cellen Chugg Jones) who is jilted at the altar by his bride Christine (Emily Tierney). Unbeknowst to each other they take their close friends to the same honeymoon destination (Viva Espana!) to de-stress after their split.
The honeymoon hotel is struggling to stay afloat but the entertainer, Joe McElderry (of X-Factor fame) and Managers Serena (Amelle Barrabah formerly of the Sugababes) and Robert (played on the night by Nye Rees) give it their all to win a covetted Hotel award.
Central to the story is the visit of a supposed Hotel Inspector, hilariously played by a vertically challenged Cruella Deville character Karina Hind (sin dogs), who is in hot cougar-like pursuit of Robert.
Despite McElderry’s and Barrabah’s brilliant performances, Kate Robbins steals the show as Consuela. Talented on all fronts, Robbins excels at mimicry and vocals, even singing the Surprise Surprise theme tune that she penned.
She plays the rude Spanish housekeeper who goes undercover to fool the Hotel Inspector into thinking the hotel is at maximum occupancy. Her numerous guises manage to be hilarious and reminiscent of both Jimmy Krankie and Elaine C Smith.
Predictably love wins the day in this uncomplicated and colourful feel good show that will have you singing along to fromage favourites such as Relax, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, She Drives Me Crazy, The Look of Love, Don’t Go and Making Your Mind up.
Club Tropicana the Musical moves to Canterbury next, get show details here.
Upcoming shows at Edinburgh Playhouse include ‘Hair the Musical’, ‘UK Pink Floyd Experience’ and ‘Some Guys Have All The Luck – The Rod Stewart Story’.
Get tickets here.
