IT'S set to be one hell of a (Take That and) party.
It became the biggest selling musical in history when it went on sale earlier this year and now The Band is set for its South Coast debut at Mayflower Theatre next week.
The show, part heart-warming play from the pen of Calendar Girls creator Tim Firth, part top notch musical and part atmospheric pop concert, is set to the soundtrack of the world's greatest man band with major contributions from co-creators Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Robbie Williams.
The new musical charts the story of five teenage friends in the early 90s for whom the band are everything. A cruel twist of fate divides them soon after they first see the boys in concert.
Quarter of a century on the friends, now 40-something women, reunite to once more attempt to fulfil their dream of finally meeting their heroes.
Five To Five, who were discovered on TV talent show Let It Shine, play the fictional boyband, belting out 14 Take That hits from over the years including Pray, A Million Love Songs, Greatest Day, Relight My Fire and Rule The World.
Filled with laugh out loud gags, but with enough poignant moments to have you regularly reaching for the tissues, The Band is co-directed by ex-Eastender Jack Ryder, one of the many celebrities who turned out for the red carpet premiere of the show in Manchester last month.
The Band is in Southampton until November 11.
Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk
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