This festive season’s theatrical offerings across Manchester vary from the usual Christmas pantomimes to traditional pieces of theatre with an important message. Isn’t that truly what Christmas is all about? It’s exactly that sentiment that is represented at Manchester’s Royal Exchange with their production of Spend, Spend, Spend this winter season.
Inspired by the life of Viv Nicholson, Spend Spend Spend first made its debut at the Leeds Playhouse in 1998 and then went on to have a successful run in the West End. We meet Viv, now beauty therapist in ‘Salon Mystique’ as she recalls her extraordinary story to customer Mrs Waterman. Viv is best well known for winning the pools with her husband which made them go from working class to high class in an instant. Viv famously proclaimed she was going to ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’ and judging by this production, she wasn’t wrong.
We learn of Viv’s humble beginnings and the struggles she faced as a teen, yet with plenty of male attention, her life soon accelerates at an alarming rate. Settled in her second marriage, her and husband Keith struggle to hold down the family home due to a shortage of money until surprisingly Keith’s pool results come in. As fast as they are made what would be millionaires today, the money is gone, tragedy strikes and Viv is left to pick up the pieces of a life that in the end looked very different to what she wanted.
Interestingly the story is told by Viv (Rachel Leskovac) looking back on her life whilst watching her younger self (Rose Galbraith). In the original production, Leskovac was nominated for an Olivier Award for portraying Young Viv and is now taking on the titular role. Returning to a production many years later means that this story clearly has a special place in her heart and it truly shows with this performance. Leskovac’s stamina to stay on stage throughout has to be commended, and whilst being billed as the main character, is often part of the ensemble working tirelessly throughout each demanding number. Galbraith’s portrayal of Nicholson’s perceivingly young and innocent demeanour is as convincing as her despair in moments of devastation. Together they are fantastic and really convince the audience what Viv would have been like.
The entire ensemble cast are incredibly talented with all multi-rolling throughout. The unique and distinct layout of The Royal Exchange meant that as fast as one character walked off stage, they were reappearing from another walkway as a different character. The hardest working perhaps was George Crawford as Matt who had a lot to do, with plenty of material showcasing Viv’s love life throughout as he played Viv’s many lovers. As well as excelling in the striking choreography (Lucy Hind), he and his former Newsie counterpart Alex James Hatton, displayed tender vocals whilst vying for Viv’s love and attention. Hatton’s emotional performance as Keith embodied the struggle and strain that winning a ridiculous amount of money would surely have on anyone and their relationships.
Spend Spend Spend is filled with the glitz and glam of musicals of yesteryear with imaginative direction by Josh Seymour. Working in the round is always a challenge, however, with the intimate nature of the theatre, Seymour ensures that the audience feel connected to Viv and her story with copious amounts of streamers hanging from above, endless amounts of confetti and glitter filling the stage, giving the Christmas atmosphere in a non-traditional way.
Designer Grace Smart has truly transformed the space and takes us to many vivid locations in Viv’s story, even taking the audience to a colliery pit with a clever piece of scenery that nobody saw coming, further immersing the audience of every level. Whilst the story is set many years ago, it’s the music (Steve Brown) that really does drive the story forward. Whether it’s the heartbreaking duet between Viv and Younger Viv during ‘Who’s Going To Love Me’ tugging on the heartstrings to the biggest traditional musical theatre show-stopping number ‘Spend Spend Spend’. Social class and perception is addressed in ‘Garforth’ and we are transported to the height of the win and ultimate downfall in ‘Drinking in America’.
Whilst this is ultimately a story of heartbreak, Spend Spend Spend is filled to the brim with humour and relatability this festive season. Whilst many get their kicks by playing the lottery today in the hope of a big win and a life changing bank balance, the tale of Viv asks can money really buy happiness? Perhaps not, but money can buy a ticket to this inspired production of Spend Spend Spend. With a nostalgic yet modern feel, The Royal Exchange Manchester has saved one of the best productions of the year until last.
Spend, Spend, Spend runs at the Royal Exchange in Manchester until 11th January 2025 - for more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
★★★★★ (5*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Helen Murray
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