Picture this: it’s the late 2000s, and Exeter Northcott Theatre has been turned into a retirement home for elderly actors. The audience is suspended in time as Mr Combe shuffles across the stage under cosy lighting and the watchful eye of the nurse, and everyone seems to hold their breath. It’s a moment, early on, when you forget the promise of a slapstick jukebox musical and really sets the tone for one of the important takeaways from the play: how we approach ageing. Once Mr Combe reaches his piano, he stays there for the rest of the show, only occasionally needing some extra oxygen. He effortlessly accompanies a wide range of hits, from the haunting ‘Forever Young’ sung by Jodie Micciché, to ‘I Love Rock ’n’ Roll’, which had the entire audience clapping along to the beat.

The balance of Forever Young is what makes it such a success— slapstick humour that had me spluttering with laughter would turn into tears during some of the more poignant moments. Ms Grace, forgetful and dazed, previously a theatrical star, sings a rendition of ‘Barbie Girl’ after her wig is accidentally ripped off, and she’s trembling and confronting the reality of ageing. By the end of the show, she’s wielding a shotgun and appearing to shoot the imposing and slightly sinister nurse, played by Eliza Shea, dead.

Having seen a range of shows which portray elderly people, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised: the endearingly funny way each character is portrayed had everyone in the audience thinking of their own relatives throughout with knowing laughs and tears in their eyes. Mr Armfield’s early rendition of ‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)’, sang to Ms Grace, his on-stage wife, reminded me so strongly of my own grandparents that it brings a lump to my throat to write about it even a week later.

The set was all too familiar, with lampshades that I could have sworn were lifted straight from my grandparents’ own house hanging alongside the spotlights, rugs and sofas akin to what you would find in a retirement home, and posters from Northcott Theatre’s heyday. Not only that, but the costuming was also excellent, with convincing stage makeup, Mrs Micciché’s ‘Less Talk, More Action’ climate tank top, and Ms Cheesely’s fluffy pink slippers.

Forever Young is all about ageing disgracefully, but also not fearing ageing. It’s inevitable that Mr Watts, an ageing rocker, falls asleep more often, but he can still break into a Memory Medley mid-show. Ms Cheesely and Ms Micciché’s friendship was heartwarming, and the heart of the show shines through their collective efforts to continue living their life to the fullest. Why not recite Shakespeare with your old acting friends? As we are reminded by Mr Watts, no one can evade death, so you may as well make the best of it.

Review by Kitty Carter.