It seems that every band has two careers these days: once in their hayday and a second time during a reunion a decade or so later. Based on this phenomenon (and aptly, given the Spice Girls recent reunion), Those Three Girls created the brilliantly funny Girlband.
Carly Sheppard, Lucy Barnett and Susannah Adele show off their acting skills as they all take on three different roles in this hour long show about the revival of a nineties pop trio: Girlband, formed by Kel-G, Jade and Roz.
We hear the story told through the three parties involved: the creators – think mother, choreographer and PR, the fans and of course the band itself. Though the blurb focuses on the band, the piece itself seems to rotate more around the hilarious fanclub GUNT (Girls United Now and Then).
The introduction with money-grabbing mother, the bemused American choreographer and the ditzy PR manager sets us up nicely. The audience gets used to the rotating of roles and characters being switched through simple props or outfit changes.
After a Girlband reunion is announced, die-hard fans (T-shirts and anthems at the ready!) Jenny, Ceri and Debra agree to appear in a documentary about their passion. The women are quirky in the way devoted fans can be: Jenny is the shy virgin founder of the club, Ceri is a local celebrity and Debra is a professional autograph hunter with a son and an imaginary companion Barry.Interestingly, the women are aware and worried they might be mocked during the documentary but their love for the music convinces them. This is what makes this well-written piece even better: after 40 minutes of laughter at marvellous lines and the cleverly choreographed scene-changes with accompanying 90s girlgroup music, it manages to deliver an emotional punch.
Laugh at these super-fans as we may, their devotion to the songs and music stems from a personal trauma and the comforting power of music should not be denied. It is a great moment from which we then swiftly move on and rightly so.
When the fans meet the band, all three actresses are superbly consistent despite having to switch roles quickly. It all climaxes to a rendition of a specially made spoof pop-song, a video can be found on the website.
Those Three Girls’ quality echoes the best of British funny females, French and Saunders, Ab Fab, and Girlband is just a perfect parcel for anyone who remembers the nineties.
