Spend, Spend, Spend is a fun, campy journey through fame, fortune, and chaos.
Spending it all has never been more entertaining. Spend, Spend, Spend, now on at the Royal Exchange Theatre, tells the whirlwind story of Viv Nicholson, the 1961 football pools winner whose promise to “spend, spend, spend” became both her mantra and her downfall. Written by Steve Brown and Justin Greene, this musical is a heartfelt tribute to Viv’s rollercoaster life, brought to the stage by a cracking cast and sharp direction.
When we first meet Viv, she’s no longer living it up but working in a beauty salon, her fortune and five husbands long gone. The story’s narrated by the older Viv (Rachel Leskovac), whose presence adds a reflective edge to the tale. Watching her younger self (played brilliantly by Rose Galbraith) relive her mistakes, Leskovac’s performance is the beating heart of the show. With just the right mix of humour, regret, and resilience, she transforms what could’ve been a straightforward cautionary tale into something much deeper and more moving.
The first half is full of fun, capturing the buzz of Viv and her second husband Keith’s (Alex James-Hatton) sudden wealth. Their leap from working-class Castleford to a posher patch of Leeds brings plenty of laughs, especially as their over-the-top spending doesn’t quite fit with their snooty new neighbours. Let’s just say, if you’re dreaming of posh life in Garforth—don’t! The humour’s pure Northern wit, packed with sharp one-liners and nods to working-class life that hit just right.
But the good times don’t last. Keith’s tragic death in a car crash marks the start of Viv’s decline, with bad decisions, dodgy husbands, and opportunistic bankers leaving her skint again. While the show doesn’t shy away from the darker moments, it never loses its sense of fun.
The choreography really stands out. The debt collectors’ scenes, with their darkly comic “dance of the collectors,” bring a menacing yet absurd energy that keeps you hooked even as the story takes a heavier turn. These moments lift the whole production and make it feel fresh and engaging.
Keith is another highlight. Lyne’s portrayal captures his warmth and charm so well, it’s easy to see why Viv adored him. His time on stage is anything but brief, and he remains a central part of the story throughout. Whether in scenes of joy or heartache, Lyne brings a depth and charisma that keeps the audience invested in his and Viv’s journey. Even as the story takes darker turns, Keith’s presence is a constant reminder of the love and happiness that defined much of Viv’s life.
On the flip side, Viv’s dad (played by Joe Alessi) is a far more unsettling figure. Alessi delivers a performance that’s both intense and heartbreaking, showing the tough early life that shaped Viv’s character.
The music’s a mixed bag. The first act leans on exposition-heavy tunes, but by the second half, the show really finds its feet. Numbers like “The Boy Next Door,” “John Collier,” and “Garforth” are proper crowd-pleasers, full of energy and wit. While some of the earlier songs blend into each other, the payoff is well worth the wait.
Director Josh Seymour focuses on the personal side of Viv’s story, but the show does skim over her complicated relationship with the tabloids. Grace Smart’s set, dominated by headlines, hints at the media circus Viv faced, but this thread feels underdeveloped. Instead, the focus stays firmly on Viv’s perspective, which makes sense given the musical’s based on her autobiography.
All in all, Spend, Spend, Spend is a cracking show, blending proper Northern humour with a poignant look at fame, fortune, and the cost of living life in the fast lane. From the brilliant choreography to Keith’s loveable charm, it’s a production that sticks with you. Leskovac’s older Viv is the heart of it all, tying the story together with warmth and depth. I loved every minute of it.