Winners not losers – review

Imagine if TV geekfest The Big Bang Theory was turned into a musical and you get a sense of what Loserville is all about.

This new show by former Busted star James Bourne and his sidekick Elliot Davis is set in 1971, a world where computers don’t even speak to each in the same room let along across the globe.

But computer genius and terminal outsider Michael Dork is determined to change that and step forward Holly – a fellow geek with a dark past – to help him realise his dream.

Michael and his trusty crew of losers Francis, Marvin and best friend Lucas have to battle thick jock Eddie and his gang of bullies to invent the Internet.

Do they create the future and win the girl? It’s a pop musical, so what do you think?

But despite the inevitable happy ending this is a really good natured, fun show performed at high velocity by a very young and inexperienced cast. It also helps that the composers have packed both halves with quality powerpop anthems that reflects Mr Bourne’s stint in one of the UK’s biggest boybands.

Former Eastenders Aaron Sidwell tries hard with a slightly underwritten Michael, and Eliza Hope Bennett as Holly almost makes you forget that sticking on geek glasses to disguise beauty is a lazy device.

Newcomer Richard Lowe is a real find as budding author Lucus making good use of the running Star Wars gag, and Charlotte Dawkins as ‘Princess’ Leia has the best voice in the show.

It was a real pleasure to see Gareth Gates as daft Eddie shake off his talent contest roots proving to be an accomplished stage actor, but it was really stretching it for anyone to believe he is the same age as the rest of the cast. John Travolta got away with it in Grease as the rest of the cast were also elderly, but not so here.

But the real star of the star was former rocker Lil’ Chris who made the really freaky nerd Francis likeable with a beautifully judged performance full of controlled twitches and bizarre outbursts.

Throw in some decent gags and brilliant use of cards by the cast to create a dizzying array of scenes this show was reminiscent of Broadway geek smash Rent.

This is not Shakespeare, but it is a show that is never less than entertaining, and in an age where dreadful old dross like the Spice girls are rising from the grave in the West End then a London transfer for Loserville can’t be ruled out.

Loserville runs until July 14 and tickets can be reserved by calling West Yorkshire Playhouse Box Office on 0113 213 7700 or by visiting www.wyp.org.uk

Photo by Tristram Kenton.