“23 years ago I was in Salford as a homeless teenager” Melanie Blake, author, columnist and manager to the stars, reminisces on her past as she returns to Salford a successful businesswoman, bringing with her the play adaptation of her best-selling novel The Thunder Girls
Coleen Nolan (Loose Women) and Beverley Callard (Coronation Street) hit the stage in this brilliantly funny girl-band feud, relating the story of an 80’s pop group reunited after 30 years.
Make no mistake, this isn’t a play about the glamour and hedonism that come hand in hand with a career in pop music, although Blake touches on this with some laugh-out-loud remarks. This is a play about friendship, forgiveness and the fierce resilience of women.
And who better to dramatise this sold-out sensation than Corrie’s very own fiery starlet (Callard) and 80’s pop sensation turned female talk-show host (Nolan) who carry the performance in this heart-felt story of female companionship.
“All I ever heard nearly my whole life was no, no and no – the day I stopped looking for approval was the day I started getting what I wanted” Blake articulates in her author’s note in the opening pages of her novel which was released earlier this year. “This book is dedicated to true Thunder Girls all over the world who, despite the odds stacked against them… always fight their way through the negativity”
23 years ago l was in Salford as a homeless teenager who’d left school with no qualifications being told ‘she’ll never amount to anything’. Today I returned to wonderful #Salford to rehearse my play #TheThunderGirls @The_Lowry yards from where I once felt hopeless #NeverGiveUp ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/PHl21lcJy0
— Melanie Blake (@MelanieBlakeUK) August 18, 2019
Blake, in an exclusive behind-the-scenes preview, revealed the stunning scenography to her Twitter following before the performance. A stylish designed set, which wouldn’t feel out of place in an episode of Housewives of Cheshire, made use of a multi-dimensional, two storey layout. Perfect for breaking up scenes and creating different theatrical opportunities, the cast moved around sporadically in the dialogue-led performance.
With references to modern culture and the pressures young women face, Blake’s adaptation appeals to a broad audience which makes it perfect for women of all ages to come and enjoy with mothers, daughters, sisters and friends – the perfect girls night out.
Complimentary signed copies of the novel were placed on seats for the audience and Blake greeted guests, taking a seat herself to watch her novel and play adaptation come to life.
The Thunder Girls continues for another 3 nights at The Lowry in Salford Quays in this unmissable feel-good hit.
@TheThunderGirls at @The_Lowry was a star-studded delight ? the perfect girls night out @MelanieBlakeUK ? pic.twitter.com/weQtDhF2Qe
— Lydia Ransome (@LydiaRansome) September 25, 2019
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