Greatest Days brought the magic of Take That to the Norwich Theatre Royal stage in a story of fangirling, friendship and loss.
The jukebox musical, written by Tim Firth and recently adapted into a film, has arrived in the city on its UK tour and a previous version of the show, called The Band, came to the venue in 2018.
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The 16-year-old group of friends in Greatest Days (Image: Alastair Muir)
It is set in Manchester and follows a group of school friends aged 16 in the 1990s and then 25 years later, played by different sets of actors, who reunite after an adult Rachel (Rachel Marwood) wins tickets to see their favourite band in Greece.
Despite vowing to stay friends forever when teens, a tragic event tears them apart and the trip provides them with a chance to reconnect.
Take That's hits provided the perfect soundtrack to the show, ranging from the poignant Said it All and Patience to the upbeat Greatest Day and Never Forget.
The jukebox musical features some of Take That's biggest hits (Image: Alistair Muir)
It was a feel-good evening of escapism that celebrated the strength of women and the importance of friendship.
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A standout performance came from Jamie-Rose Monk as the adult Claire - a former Olympic diver hopeful who gave it all up.
But after encouragement from her friends on their Greek getaway, she gets the courage to take the plunge and break free from her mundane life.
The band performing in the Greatest Days musical (Image: Alastair Muir)
The multi-rolling Alan Stocks was also superb as he played everything from a Mancunian bus driver (who used to be in Spandau Ballet) to a Greek prison guard.
The band itself, who while not called Take That portrayed the hysteria they still evoke to this day, had razor-sharp choreography.
I would have liked more colour in the set, as while the grey blocks were cleverly used there could have been more props in the second half set in Greece.
Greatest Days, could it be magic? Yes, it certainly is.
Catch the show at Norwich Theatre Royal until August 12.
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