"The Cher Show" KTCo Studios.

 Tuesday 7th April 2026

"The Cher Show"

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)

Cher is one of those performers who everyone knows, no matter what generation you’re from. With a career that has lasted decades, she has constantly changed her style, music and image, proving time and time again how talented and unique she really is. From her music to her fashion, she has created a legacy that is still recognised today.

As I walked into the auditorium, the first thing that caught my attention was the stage. The set was already visible, with large illuminated letters spelling out “CHER” against a dark background, which instantly set the tone for the show. The use of staging blocks and flight cases gave it a real concert feel, almost like being backstage at a live tour. With disco balls and lighting rigs already in place, it didn’t feel like a traditional musical it felt like a full Cher experience. Even before the show started, there was already a real buzz in the theatre.

While we were waiting for the show to begin, a few of the cast members appeared on stage carrying out set adjustments, sound checks and lighting checks. I thought this was something really different and not something you usually see before a show starts, which made it even more interesting and really added to the overall atmosphere.

Instead of just retelling Cher’s life, I felt like this show focused more on her journey and how she’s grown over the years. It wasn’t just about the big moments everyone knows, but also showed the challenges she faced and how she became the artist she is today. It made it easier to connect with her story rather than just watching it.

I’m familiar with this theatre company, so I already had an idea of the standard they usually deliver and they certainly didn’t disappoint with this production. It lived up to expectations and maintained a really strong level throughout.

I really liked how at times, the show felt less like a traditional musical and more like a full Cher concert experience, which really made it stand out.

The Cher Show captures the journey of her rise to fame, taking the audience through the different stages of her life and career. Starting in the 1960s with Sonny Bono, we see how her career first began, before moving into the 1970s where she begins to find her independence as an artist. As the show moves into the 1980s and 1990s, we see a much stronger and more confident Cher, overcoming challenges and continuing to grow. This made the story easy to follow and really showed her development over time.

The role of Cher is split between three performers, Helen Perry (Babe), Beth Denham-Berry (Lady) and Natasha Cartwright (Star), all of whom brought something different to the role.

Helen Emelia showed the softer and more vulnerable side of Cher in her early years.

Beth Denham-Berry showed her growth and strength as she became more independent.

Natasha Cartwright really commanded the stage, showing confidence and power in the later years of her career. All three worked really well together and made the character feel consistent throughout.

Aaron Murray as Sonny Bono brought charm and personality to the stage, especially in the early parts of the show where we see their partnership develop.

Cam Trail as Gregg Allman showed a different side to Cher’s story and also took on other roles, showing great versatility throughout the production.

Luke Steven Grainger as Rob Camilletti brought a softer and more personal side to Cher’s life. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Luke in previous productions and it’s clear to see how much he has developed as a performer. Since becoming an award-winning actor, his confidence and characterisation have grown, which really shows in this role. He also played Phil Spector, showing a clear contrast between the two characters.

Matt Powell as Bob Mackie brought great energy and personality to the stage, really capturing the bold and creative side of Cher’s iconic image.

Deborah McPherson as Georgia Holt delivered a strong performance, giving us a look into Cher’s upbringing and adding depth to the story.

Darcy Cole (Bridget) and Callie Egan (Colleen) both supported the story well and helped keep the show flowing smoothly. They fitted into the production naturally and added to the scenes they were in helping everything move along without losing the pace of the show.

Alana Fay, Soleil Quarless and Millie Seymour as the Booth Singers worked really well together to bring the early music moments to life. Their vocals blended nicely and helped set the tone for the beginning of Cher’s career, making those scenes feel authentic and engaging.

Georgina Anderson, Lydia Thacker, Sophie Lowe and Abbie Faulkner as the Girl Group brought great energy to the stage, especially during the ensemble numbers. Their performances were lively and added a real sense of atmosphere, helping to keep the show feeling upbeat and entertaining.

Sandy C Lane, Reema Rose and Jane Magee as Goldie & The Gingerbreads added strong vocals and stage presence. They brought confidence and character to their performances, which helped make those musical moments stand out.

It’s also worth noting that Megan Singleton, who is part of Goldie & The Gingerbreads and the Ensemble, was unfortunately unable to perform due to illness. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on stage soon.

Sophie Lowe stood out as the Dark Lady soloist, delivering a really confident performance. She really owned that moment on stage and made it memorable, with strong vocals that suited the style of the song perfectly.

Louise Curd and Sinead Parkin took on multiple roles throughout the show and transitioned smoothly between characters. They adapted well to each role and kept the flow of the performance going, which really helped the overall structure of the show.

Max Fuller as Bob’s Assistant supported the storyline well, adding to the scenes he was in and helping things move along naturally without taking focus away from the main action.

Jake Lightbown and Soleil Quarless as the Entertainment Tonight hosts helped guide the story and kept everything moving clearly.

The show is really fast-paced and packed with so many iconic songs that you’ll recognise, especially if you’re a fan of Cher. It keeps the energy high throughout and makes it really enjoyable to watch.

Believe is always one of my favourite songs and it was definitely one of the standout moments of the show. The energy in the theatre completely lifted during this number, and it really felt like a live concert experience.

Now let me talk about the lighting and sound my first word is going to be WOW. It was honestly some of the best I’ve experienced at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton, and it really added to the overall atmosphere of the show.

The lighting by Stephen Greatorex was really impressive throughout the show. There was so much going on, and it really helped create that concert-style feel. It felt very creative and added so much energy to the stage.

The sound design by Dave Dallard was excellent and I have to say, one of the best I’ve experienced at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton. Everything was clear and well balanced, and there were no noticeable mis-cues at all, which made the whole show even more enjoyable.

When I saw Kristian Cunningham was the Choreographer, I knew straight away the standard was going to be high. He never fails to deliver, and from the moment the show started, it was clear the choreography was going to be a real highlight. His work added so much energy and confidence to the production.

The costumes, designed by Abbi Burns, were a real highlight, reflecting Cher’s iconic looks and adding to the overall style of the show.

Dave Dallard (Musical Director), alongside Lauren Polimos (Assistant Musical Director), helped bring the music to life and supported the strong vocals from the cast.

The live band, made up of Dave on keys, Gabryl Oleshko on keys 2, Chris Renshaw and Tim Yearsley on guitar, Dave Shipley on drums, Dawny Bratby on reeds, Jeff Widdowson on bass, Joy Gravestock on violin, Phil Reckless and Rob Murrayon brass, added so much to the overall sound of the show and really helped bring the concert feel to life.

Overall, I had a fantastic time watching this production. It was full of energy, strong performances and so many iconic moments throughout. A brilliant night at the theatre and a well-deserved 5 stars.

This is a must-see for anyone who loves iconic music, high-energy performances and a night full of pure entertainment.

"The Cher Show" is at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton from Tuesday 7 April until Saturday 11 April 2026.

Written By Owen Brindley