REVIEW: THAT'LL BE THE DAY - 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR @ WESTLANDS

🎭 That'll Be The Day - 40th Anniversary Tour

📍 Westlands Entertainment Venue, Westbourne Close, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2DD

🗓 Saturday 4th October 2025

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A NOSTALGIC ROLLERCOASTER OF MAGIC

After personally following this show for over 30 years it's safe to say that in a world filled with chaos, there's nothing more comforting than knowing that a theatrical constant like THAT'LL BE THE DAY is still bringing the house down as it celebrates 40 years of touring.

This 40th anniversary celebration is a triumph on every level, a genuine feel-good experience that reminds me why I fell in love with this era of music in the first place.

From the moment the show explodes onto the stage, the energy is electric. This ensemble cast is in a league of its own, blending breathtaking vocals with dazzling musicianship. A particular highlight of mine was the sensational powerhouse performances from the female vocalists Jodie Gray and Nikki Hechavarria.

Showing incredible versatility Gray was sexy as Debbie Harry, full of rasp and energy as Lulu, and gave the performance of the night as Dusty Springfield with her rendition of I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.

Hechavarria  gave a wonderfully soulful rendition of For Once In My Life and was elegant and serene as Diana Ross. She brought the house down as Tina Turner, proving why she is 'simply the best', and she is such a joyful performer to watch.

And the band? Absolutely flawless. Their performance of Let There Be Drums was a heart-pounding and exuberant spectacle that was met with rapturous cheering from the entire room. Guitrarist Ollie Gray led the band in a mesmerising rendition of Wonderful Land in a heartfelt performance which celebrated the history surrounding the show and Gray's personal relationship with it as the beautiful melody washed over the auditorium.

The band members are also glorious vocalists and are given time to shine throughout the evening.

But it's not just the music that captivates. It's the seamless, fast-paced nature of the show and the uproarious comedy that punctuates the performances. Although a little cheeky at times, the comedy sketches such as Bill and Ben deliver a constant stream of laughter and add to the variety show atmosphere.

Fan favourite Gary Anderson has precision comic timing and delights with the amount of impressions he gets in when performing Perfect Day. He shines as Tom Jones and Elvis Presley and the crowd went absolutely wild when, after all these years, he finally got to sing his favourite song!

The production is led from the front by the ever-charming Trevor Payne, whose final farewell tour added an undeniable poignancy to proceedings. This really is his swan song and I enjoyed the little stories littered throughout of his journey through the industry and the creation of the show. As he performed These Are The Days Of Our Lives the screen showed images of THAT"LL BE THE DAY productions of yesteryear. His performances as Cliff Richard and Mick Jagger are now integral parts of the show, and his presence on stage feels wholesome - reminding you just how much of a passion project this has been for 40 years.

Regular readers of mine will know just how much I love the technical elements of a production, and here they are just as phenomenal as the performances. The lighting design in particular is triumphant, lifting the show to another level entirely. The costumes are beautifully designed, embodying the iconic eras with perfect authenticity, and the AV content complements the on-stage action perfectly - taking us on a genuine journey through time.

And that's just what this show is. A journey through the history of popular music from the 1950s to the 1980s which is broken down into smaller production pieces to tie it all together, such as a Top of the Pops countdown. This has proved to be a winning formula throughout the years. This combined with the annual change of material has been part of what has made THAT'LL BE THE DAY such a success.

For almost three hours you are transported to a place of unashamed nostalgia and pure, unadulterated fun. This is more than a concert. This is an event, and an unmissable theatrical experience. The finale was a non-stop party, with the entire audience up on their feet, dancing and singing along with every last bit of energy they had!

One thing's for sure, you'll leave wanting more of this insanely talented company.

If you only see one show this year, make it this one. And book quickly, because I predict this show will continue to pack houses for years to come. It's a real five star, feel-good rock 'n' roll masterpiece.

The 40th Anniversary Tour plays until June 2026. Click here to head to the show's website to check out all the tour dates and to book tickets. THAT'LL BE THE DAY plays a special gala performance at the iconic London Palladium on Tuesday 3rd February 2026. Tickets for this very special performance can be found here.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.

CAST LIST:

Trevor Payne - Vocals/Comedy/Impressions; Gary Anderson - Vocals/Comedy/Impressions; Nikki Hechavarria - Vocals; Jodie Gray - Vocals; Seán McAustland - Keys/Guitar/Vocals; Jarrod Loughlin - Bass/Vocals/Guitar; Mark Street - Drums/Vocals; Ollie Gray - Lead Guitar/Drums/Vocals; Eduardo Neto - Percussion/Drums/Saxophone/Guitar/Vocals

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours 45 minutes, including interval