REVIEW: THAT'LL BE THE DAY @ THE LONDON PALLADIUM

🎭 That'll Be The Day - 40th Anniversary Gala Performance

📍 The London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF

🗓 Tuesday 3rd February 2026

⭐️ 5 Stars

THE ULTIMATE ANNIVERSARY GALA

February 3rd may forever be known as the 'day the music died', but the music was definitely alive and kicking as THAT'LL BE THE DAY celebrated an incredible 40 years of touring with a special gala performance at the world-famous London Palladium. There is no stage more fitting for an anniversary bash and honestly, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric from the second the lights dimmed.

You could feel the history in the room, but more importantly, you could feel the love for a show that has become a true British institution.

The night was a non-stop roller coaster of nostalgia. One minute you're howling at the comedy sketches, the next you're rockin' in your seat to the music of artists such as Buddy Holly, The Kinks, The Four Seasons, and Stevie Wonder. The cast was on fire, showing off the slick, multi-talented versatility they're famous for.

The entire company gave world-class performances, with the absolute standout coming from Nikki Hechavarria-Wright who stole the show with a powerhouse performance as Tina Turner, alongside note-perfect versions of iconic songs from artists including Diana Ross and Mary Wells.

Lotty Anderson brought fantastic energy and sass to turns as Debbie Harry and Lulu amongst others, while Jodie Gray delivered a beautifully elegant and timeless performance as Barbra Streisand.

Gary Anderson delivered dynamic performances as Tom Jones and Elvis Presley, and the amount of impressions he squeezes in to his rendition of "Perfect Day" is particularly impressive. His comedy antics prove what a great all-round performer he really is.

THAT'LL BE THE DAY can surely boast having the hardest-working band in theatre. Not only do they work tirelessly to ensure an authentic sound, they are all multi-instrumentalists, and have phenomenal singing voices too. Seán McAustland leads them is a stunningly precise recreation of the Beatles. Close your eyes and it really could be the fab four themselves on the stage.

With the addition of brass and string sections for this special performance, renditions of the "Hawaii Five-O theme" and "Wonderful Land" from The Shadows sounded truly epic, filling the auditorium with a mesmerising sound. This was mad even more momentous by Bruce Welsh being in the audience.

But the real heart of the night was the legendary Trevor Payne. Seeing him command the stage as he celebrated 40 years at the helm of the show was incredibly poignant. The night was interspersed with lots of little stories from across the years, which added gravitas to the proceedings. There were also special video messages from Hank Marvin and Cliff Richard, both sending their congratulations for a sensational 40 years.

The finale at the London Palladium anniversary gala

The evening also welcomed some special guests to the stage. The audience reaction when ex-cast member Clive Fishlock walked on the stage was euphoric - What a moment. Britain's Got Talent finalist Tom Ball displayed his sensational vocals on "Higher and Higher", before joining forces with the company and a group of brave kids for a performance of the Make-A-Wish charity single, ensuring there wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was a beautiful, grounded moment in the middle of all the high-octane glitter.

While the musicianship remains world-class, it was the technical wizardry that truly elevated this performance into a West End spectacle. The lighting design by Mike Stevens was, quite simply, a masterclass in atmosphere. Far from just a "rock gig" aesthetic, Stevens utilised the Palladium's expansive stage to create bold, colourful effects that pulsed in perfect synchronicity with every drum fill and guitar solo. It was vibrant and energetic, and gave the entire evening a high-gloss finish that felt modern, yet deeply respectful of its vintage roots.

Equally impressive was the seamless integration of Jarrod Loughlin's video design. The archival montages weren't just a backdrop, they were a narrative thread, flawlessly synched to ensure the visual pacing never faltered across the 3.5 hour runtime. For a show that has spent 4 decades on the road, this Palladium outing was a stunning reminder of how technical precision can turn a variety show into an unforgettable event.

There is something inherently magical about the London Palladium, but when you fill it with 40 years of rock 'n' roll history, it becomes a cathedral of nostalgia. For this special anniversary gala, THAT'LL BE THE DAY proves that hard work and dedication ensures the production values keep getting sharper.

This wasn't just a gig; it was a four-decade victory lap. Five stars just don't seem enough! Bravo Trevor and the team - here's to the next 40 years!

For more information about THAT'LL BE THE DAY, including cast biographies and upcoming tour dates, head to https://thatllbetheday.com/

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-Wright - Vocals; Lotty Anderson - Vocals/Flute; 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

Special Guests: Clive Fishlock - Comedy/Saxophone; Tom Ball - Vocals

RUNNING TIME (approx):

3 hours 30 minutes, including interval

Find my recent interview with Trevor Payne HERE

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