The Band - Good Companions Musical Theatre - Derby

 Friday 27th March 2026

"The Band - Take That Musical"

Good Companions Musical Theatre - Derby 

Repton Hall 400 Theatre 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)

From the moment you walk into the auditorium, there is an immediate sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. The stage is set in a way that allows the storytelling and music to take centre stage, creating a welcoming and energetic atmosphere before the performance has even begun. It instantly sets the tone for an evening filled with nostalgia, emotion and the iconic music of Take That.

The Band: A New Musical, written by Tim Firth, tells the story of a group of friends whose lives are shaped by their shared love of a boyband. As the narrative moves between past and present, we follow their journey through friendship, loss and growing up. The writing balances humour and emotion beautifully, allowing the audience to both laugh and reflect as the story unfolds.

The younger cast delivered strong performances, bringing both energy and sincerity to their roles. Georgina Anderson as Young Rachel gave a natural and engaging performance, capturing the innocence and excitement of youth with ease. Charlotte Bennett as Young Claire brought confidence and warmth to the role, helping to establish the close bond between the group. Sydney Hemstock as Young Heather delivered a lively and believable performance, adding personality and energy to the stage. Harriet Basile as Young Zoe completed the group well, bringing enthusiasm and a strong sense of character that helped build the emotional foundation of the story from the very beginning.

The adult cast carried that story forward with confidence and depth. Louise Simcox as Rachel delivered a heartfelt and engaging performance, portraying the emotional journey of the character with clarity and strength. Lucy Slaney as Claire brought a natural presence to the stage, creating a funny and relatable character. Heidi Hand as Heather added individuality and mettle to the role, contributing to the group dynamic with poise. Claire Jarman as Zoe delivered a well-balanced performance, helping to complete the group and maintain the strong chemistry throughout. Their interactions felt authentic, allowing the audience to fully connect with their shared history and experiences.

Lauren Adams as Debbie brought compelling characterisation and presence to the role, adding further depth to the storytelling. Gary Rowley as Jeff and Martin Counter as Dave both delivered solid performances, supporting the narrative and adding to the emotional and comedic elements of the production.

The dancers Cassie Barret, Emma Chadwick, Lisa Scott-Savage and Olivia Thompson added  energy and movement to the production with stunning choreography.

The ensemble played an important role in supporting the production and creating a full and captivating theatrical world. The ensemble consisted of Brian Counter, Charlie Torry, Charlotte Hanser, Ellie Mallinson, Jake Perry, Lindsey Greasley, Ollie Hand, Owen Williams, Phil Stanley, and Ru Kniveton.

The Band were Rob Chilton, Tom Banks, Jack Bayes, Morgan Hemstock and Ross Trail and they delivered bold performances throughout, bringing ‘the boys’ to life. 

Together, they created a believable and engaging boyband presence, adding excitement to the musical numbers and helping to drive the nostalgic connection with the audience throughout the production. At one point, I genuinely found myself trying to work out who was playing Gary Barlow, which says everything about how well they captured the feel of a real boyband. You could easily see them as a boyband in their own right in the future, such was their chemistry and connection on stage.

The audience reaction said it all, with huge cheers throughout and a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the performance.

Vocally, the performances were confident and consistent across the entire cast, with each musical number delivered with clarity and energy.

The music of Take That is at the heart of this production and it was used brilliantly throughout to support the storytelling. Songs such as Relight My Fire, Never Forget, These Days, Shine, Greatest Days, Back For Good, Patience and Rule The World were all included, each bringing a strong sense of nostalgia and connection for the audience. These well-loved songs were not just performed but into the narrative in a way that helped drive the story forward and enhance the emotional impact of key moments.

The staging was simple yet effective, allowing for smooth transitions between past and present without interrupting the flow of the story. This helped maintain a steady pace and kept the audience engaged throughout. Lighting supported the mood of each scene well, enhancing both the emotional moments and the larger musical numbers.

Directed by Phil Simcox, this production was clearly guided with confidence and a strong understanding of the story. Supported by Assistant Director Scarlett Winson, the show flowed smoothly throughout, balancing the emotional and uplifting elements of the narrative effectively.

Musical Direction by Dave Adey ensured the well-loved music of Take That was delivered with power and clarity, supporting the cast vocally and enhancing the overall sound of the production.
Lighting Design by Jamie Vella set the mood and atmosphere throughout, helping to define both the intimate and larger moments within the production.

Sound Design by Phil Simcox and Pete Gough, along with Sound Operation by Phil Simcox, ensured the balance between music and vocals was maintained, allowing the audience to fully engage with the performance. There were a couple of occasions where microphone cues were slightly off, but these moments were quickly resolved and did not detract from the overall performance or audience experience.

Costume Co-ordination by Ali Watkins, Carole Pratley and Charlotte Hanser helped establish character and time period effectively, adding to the visual appeal of the production. Set Design & Construction by Heath Parkin, Phil Simcox and Spondon Scenery Solution provided a practical and effective staging that supported the storytelling throughout.

I have given this production 5 stars because it truly delivered everything you could want from a musical theatre experience strong performances, heartfelt storytelling, confident vocals and a cast who clearly gave their all on stage. The combination of emotional storytelling and iconic music created an experience that felt both nostalgic and uplifting, resonating strongly with the audience from start to finish. This is easily one of the best musicals I have ever seen.

The Band: A New Musical is a celebration of friendship, music and memories, and this production captured that beautifully. From the powerful vocals and engaging choreography to the strong ensemble work and live band support, every element came together to create a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable evening of theatre.

It was clear that every person on stage and behind the scenes poured their passion into this production and that commitment shone through in every moment. This is a show that will stay with audiences long after the curtain falls a moving, joyful and wonderfully entertaining production that absolutely deserves its 5 stars.

"The Band" is at the Repton 400 Hall Theatre until Saturday 28th March 2026.

Written By Owen Brindley