50 first dates musical review guardian

Further complications arise when Henry is warned off by Lucys over protective brother (Charlie Toland) and father (John Marquez) who fear that her condition will make her vulnerable if she leaves the community that accommodates it.

The vibrant songs (the hilarious Key Largo is followed by smoochy duet Theyre Not You) and inventive choreography keep the emotional narrative fluid and there are notable contributions from Chad Saint Louis, Ricky Rojas, Georgia Arron and Aiesha Naomi Pease.

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Perhaps its unfair to compare this new musical with the incomparableCurious Case of Benjamin Button. Both shows have a striking elevator pitch and consider how we make the most of the time available to us. Benjamin finds and holds on to love as he ages backwards whereas in 50 First Dates, based on the Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler romcom, Lucy and Henry endlessly replay their first encounter. She has short-term memory loss from an accident so wakes each morning with no recollection of the previous day; he ventures to sustain their relationship regardless.

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Travel blogger Henry (Josh St Clair) is working on a project that entails serial dating in a 24 hour love em and leave em scenario. Its all going well until he falls for Lucy (Georgina Castle) in a small town in Key Largo who upsets his plans. The trouble is, owing to a car accident Lucy suffers from short term memory loss and she has no memory of their first encounter. Every morning, Henry has to start all over again.

David Rossmer and Steve Rosens musical adaptation of the Adam SandlerDrew Barrymore movie is an unalloyed delight. With memory loss elements of Groundhog Day, Memento and Random Harvest, its a romantic comedy with a difference.

But while the Curious Case musical dug deep into the mysteries of time, 50 First Dates is more confined by its concept and never packs enough emotional punch. Thats partly because the book by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen can be bland and their songs breezily enjoyable, without a heart-wrenching number that does justice to the pain at the storys centre. Nevertheless, there are two genial leads with fine voices: Georgina Castle lights up the stage as always and Josh St Clair convincingly handles Henrys switch from obnoxious playboy to caring partner.