Bridesmaids of Britain at Malvern Theatres: Review

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Bridesmaids of Britain is showing at Malvern Theatres from Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th September 2023. Described as the ultimate girls’ night out, this is the theatrical version of a hen night in Benidorm. Think cheesy lines, crass jokes, gratuitous swearing and straight vodka.

Grab three girls from a smoky karaoke bar or dodgy foam party and get them to arrange an engagement party, hen do and wedding. There will probably be tears, tantrums, falling out and shots. Granted, there are going to be a few laughs along the way. But if you’re a drinker, I’d suggest heading to the theatre bar before the show. Their gin and tonics come highly recommended, and you’re going to need a few if you want to get into the spirit of it.

Bridesmaids of Britain: The Story

Becky is a down-to-earth working class girl from Manchester. One evening as she’s dancing away to classics from the 90s and 2000s (the soundtrack was very much my era), Becky is joined by her best friend Sarah, sporting a sparkly engagement ring. Cue much celebrating and a maid of honour request. It’s not long before the third cast member joins them.

Tiffany is a key feature in Sarah’s new life in London. She’s rich, loud and not Becky’s cup of tea at all. The two don’t hit it off and their rivalry threatens to ruin the exciting celebrations in the run up to Sarah’s wedding. First there’s an engagement party and a hen do planning session at the Ritz. Then, the brides are off to Sarah’s Nan’s caravan in Blackpool for the hen do.

Reminiscing, dancing, singing and poetry all feature in the epic battle of the bridesmaids, before Becky throws the ultimate tantrum and leaves, swearing she won’t be going near the wedding. When the big day comes round, it’s Tiffany to the rescue, reminding Becky that Sarah couldn’t do without her for the biggest event of her life.

The Cast

There is something slightly odd about Bridesmaids of Britain. I can’t find out anything about the performers in it. Including their names. I know the show was written by Diona Doherty, who is an actress and comedian from Northern Ireland. But the people playing Becky, Sarah and Tiffany? I have no idea.

I’ve hit Google, tried the tour’s website and Facebook page and even tried looking for other reviews. Nothing. I went armed with money to buy a programme, but there wasn’t one. So, the cast will remain a mystery.

Bridesmaids of Britain: Review

If you love a loud, brash girls night out complete with poo jokes and f-bombs galore, Bridesmaids of Britain is for you. This is probably the sort of show you’d go to with a gang of girls after a good few drinks. Unfortunately, it’s just not my sort of humour.

Watching this completely sober probably didn’t do it justice. Maybe my friend and I are just a bit prudish but neither of us really got into the spirit of it. Right at the end of the show, the bridal party teamed up to perform a brilliant, upbeat medley of cheesy songs and dances. My friend and I both left the theatre feeling that the whole thing should have been a musical.

At various times during the production, occasional clips of cheesy songs played and the whole atmosphere in the theatre lifted. If the soundtrack to my youth had been the focus of the show rather than an occasional outburst, I could definitely have forgiven the humour that didn’t quite hit the spot.

Bridesmaids of Britain: FAQs