one4review | On 21, Aug 2025

1966 begins in solemn fashion with the funeral of Alan, before rewinding to the summer of England’s World Cup glory. Eight friends – four girls and four boys – gather around the television to cheer on the team, engage in banter, and, most importantly, dream about what their futures might hold. While the lads revel in the match and in laddish bravado, it’s the girls who most often take the lead in debating ambitions, independence, and what life beyond their small town might look like.

The show is peppered with popular 60s hits, giving it a jukebox-musical feel at times. Most numbers are performed with energy and warmth, though some voices are stronger than others. One word of warning: don’t sit too close to the speaker, or you risk losing some dialogue due to the loudness of the music.

Among the cast, the real standout is the actor playing Jimmy. He’s blessed with the funniest lines, delivers them with an effortless naturalism, and proves himself a more than capable singer as well. His performance brings much-needed sparkle and humour to a piece that otherwise leans heavily on wistful nostalgia.

The production is short – around 40 minutes – and ends abruptly as we return to Alan’s funeral. While poignant, the conclusion feels incomplete. We’re left wondering what became of the other characters, and crucially, what happened to Alan himself. Still, 1966 captures the optimism of youth, the bonds of friendship, and the melancholy of time’s passing, all wrapped up in the soundtrack of an unforgettable decade.

***1/2

Reviewed by Rona

theSpace@ontheMile

11.40am

Until 23rd August