Benidorm Live at The Alexandra

Written by Derren Litten and Directed by Ed Curtis

As part of a UK and Ireland tour, the fantastic Benidorm Live has flown into Birmingham at The Alexandra to bring a bit of winter sunshine until Saturday 29th December bringing with it some good old fashioned British seaside humour and bags of character.

Jake Canuso (Mateo) Photo by Paul Coltas

Based on the ITV series which aired its final episode in May 2018, we return to the Solana some months after a hotel takeover has been announced. Ben (Bradley Clarkeson) and Sophie (Tricia Adele-Turner) arrive in the famous hotel for a two-day visit and most of the action appears to take place over a single day.

Hearing that a mystery customer style hotel guest or guests is giving feedback to the new owners Joyce Temple-Savage (Sherrie Hewson) sets about getting Mateo (Jake Canuso) to seduce Sophie, whilst Jacqueline (Janine Duvitski) has returned to the Solana with her friend Derek (Derren Litten) not far behind. Derek has his eyes firmly on Kenneth (Tony Maudsley) but Kenneth is still holding a torch for Liam (Adam Gillen) and hotel rep Sam (Shelley Longworth) seems to have a new lover.

Bradley Clarkson (Ben) and Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline) Photo by Paul Coltas

This felt very much like a 90 minute episode of Benidorm the tv show with a live audience. There’s jokes that come thick and fast, music from Asa Elliott, with some musical numbers and dance sequences from the main cast. Unlike a regular musical this is a comedy drama with music that feels very natural to the characters.

The set is pretty static with some rotating sections, the first half uses versions of the pool, reception and salon at the Solana while the second half is almost exclusively set in Neptunes Bar.

Tony Maudsley (Kenneth) and Adam Gillen (Liam) Photo by Paul Coltas

It’s pretty clear for newcomers to these characters how they relate to each other, most of the actors from the TV show are the staff of the hotel with shades of Are you Being Served? with the characters we know all working together to fight for their job roles.

The age rating is 12+ according to the theatre website but you may find yourself blushing next to your kids or having them ask a few slightly challenging questions.

Shelley Longworth (Sam) Photo by Paul Coltas

I loved this production of Benidorm Live especially seeing the characters I’ve watched over the years on the stage right in front of me. This is a great show with a lot of fun laugh out loud moments. Well worth seeing!

Benidorm Live is at The Alexandra until 29th December. Book tickets here: atgtickets.com/venues/alexandra-theatre-birmingham