CityLife

Cappuccino Girls - The Musical

MAL Pope (pictured) has a winner with his new musical ‘Cappuccino Girls’, making its world premiere at the Garrick Theatre.

It spotlights three girls with different personalities who meet every day in a coffee shop.

On the surface, they have everything going for them. It is their partners who are the problem.

Although Connie (Judy Riley), is sophisticated and dresses like a model, she is unhappily married and has suffered a personal tragedy.

Hillary, (Fiona J. Keats) a young mum and housewife, has ambitions to become a writer against her husband’s wishes.

Demi (Vicki Stott) lacks confidence and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Her not so better half is a Northern male chauvinist.

When the charismatic Eddie, (Adam Whittle) a worldly wise Barista (coffee expert) enters their lives you wonder if their friendship will hold.

Eddie is entering the Barista Championship of the World yet  
his interest in women is as acute as his interest in coffee.  

Latin rhythms

Adam’s hip-swivelling performance to the Latin-American rhythms in 'I'm A Man Who Loves Coffee' is performed with panache.

He also manages to play three other roles as does the other male member of the cast, Edward Prophet.

The main attraction of the show is Mal Pope’s remarkable, foot-tapping score which stays with you for hours afterwards.

The title song is particularly memorable and the female cast harmonise perfectly when singing it.

I predict it will be a future hit.

The three girls, all experienced performers in musical theatre, reach their zenith in this show.

The song 'How Did I Get So Small?' sums up the loss of individuality they suffer from marriage.

Each shines in one particular song.

For Judy’s Connie, it is the soulful 'On Angel Wings', while Fiona Hillary excels in 'Stand Up Tall' and Vicki’s Demi in 'You remind me of someone'.

This light and frothy pick-me-up of a musical is just like its coffee counterpart.

The sugar lumps are added by the professional touch of award-winning director Anthony Williams and the Garrick’s own set designer, Barry Purves.

Cappuccino Girls is at until Friday, February 13 at 7.30 pm. For tickets, priced £15, telephone 0161 928 1677.

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