Take That’s The Band Musical, with Let It Shine winners Five To Five, has proved a hit on its official opening night.
The stage show held its official launch this evening following two weeks of previews.
Fronted by Gary Barlow, BBC One TV series Let It Shine had been on the hunt for five guys to play the lead roles in the new musical.
After seven weeks of singing, it was boy band Five To Five who won Let It Shine in the final back in February.
The group – made up of Curtis T Johns, AJ Bentley, Yazdan Qafouri, Sario Solomon and Nick Carsberg – topped the public vote.
They’ve been in rehearsals with Take That for the musical, which is based on the legendary band’s music although is not directly about the group.
The boys from Five To Five play the role of the band members in the show, which follows five girls who are fans of the group.
The additional cast includes Rachel Lumberg, Faye Christall, Alison Fitzjohn, Emily Joyce, Jayne McKenna, and Rachelle Diedericks.
Fans have been flooding social media with praise ever since the first public performance.
“absolutely loving the show!! It’s like looking at my own life!! Amazing! The boys r fab!!” one audience member wrote online.
Another added: “WHAT A SHOW!!!! Only half way through and I’ve cried, laughed and sung”
And a third concluded simply: “THAT WAS F**KING AMAZING”, prompting Gary himself to respond and quip: “We’ll put that on the poster !! Xx”
Meanwhile, Five To Five tweeted after their first live show: “Thank you Manchester!!! Let’s do it all again tonight!! @TheBandMusical #TheBand #TheBandMusical #FiveToFive”
Tonight’s official opening night saw an extra special performance as Take That themselves took to the stage at the end of the show, joined by former collaborator Lulu. The two previously hit the charts in the 90s with classic track Relight My Fire.
The Band Musical plays in Manchester throughout September before heading on tour across the rest of the UK.
Tickets are on sale now from The Band Musical’s website here.
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