Jackie, the Musical, Gardyne Theatre

Jackie, the Musical Cast

Well actually, Jackie the Musical – isn’t really based on the teen mag, although it does feature prominently in the plot.  It’s actually about a woman called Jackie who's on the verge of divorce, clearing out the family home and finding a stash of her old Jackies.   

This leads to the appearance of her teen self who tries to give the “good advice” from Cathy & Claire, the “how to tell if he likes you” quizzes and other articles from the Jackie about how to handle “boys”.   Of course, the advice isn’t as relevant to her older, more cynical self, but is a great reminder to the 40+year old audience of how naive and innocent we once were.   
 
It’s a great ensemble piece, with lots of charm, wit, pathos and fun.  I particularly liked the toyboy/cougar number and the madness of This Town Aint Big Enough. For the performance I attended, the audience took a panto approach from the start as our teen idols pop up on the backscreen – David Cassidy, Donny Osmond, David Essex, Rod Stewart, Marc Bolan, etc.  I assume each night a different pop star will get the biggest whoop of appreciation.  The audience contribution is reminiscent of the Rock Horror Show with lots of whooping, aahing, and hissing of baddies, as well as joining in with the songs.  Great, great fun with a find yourself and your own confidence message that Cathy & Claire would be proud of. 

 

Like Mamma Mia, there’s a foot-stomping, lung bursting singalong encore that leaves everyone on an absolute high.

If Sunshine on Leith and Mamma Mia made it to celluloid it’s only a matter of time before Jackie, the Musical does as well.

See the BBC newspage for much more info