Two struggling Cher impersonators are disrobed and disheartened in Job-Cher. Waiting in their dressing room between costume changes, Sandra and Donna stare at the empty diary and wonder how on earth to revitalise their tired double act. As the evening progresses, the women learn that their situation is even more challenging than they first thought. Will desperate measures be resorted to? Written and performed by Leona McGilligan and Caroline Mathison, this lighthearted comedy includes Tinder, female friendship and the all important life question - “what would Cher do?”
A fun evening’s entertainment
McGilligan and Mathison’s script is very humorous. Laughter is particularly evoked from the listed names of different artist impersonators, where an abundance of music puns are on point. Across forty minutes, we observe clear character arcs developed across the conversation, which makes for interesting viewing.
Alongside excellent writing, McGilligan and Mathison convey a very genuine friendship on stage. There’s a closeness between the two performers that advertises Sandra and Donna as each other’s closest confidante, particularly as they chuckle along with the audience. This makes it all the more surprising when tensions begin to fray. The characters tentatively border on irritating throughout the performance. Sandra and Donna are both somewhat vacant, but fortunately their conversations revealing a number of personal anxieties provide just enough sympathy to keep the audience on side. Disappointingly, the big revelation of the performance is met with a stunned silence that feels anti-climactic. This is a turning-point for Donna and Sandra, and it seems to be lacking in appropriate gravitas.
Overall, Job-Cher is a fun evening’s entertainment that will particularly appeal to those familiar with the music legend’s bold costumes and classic tunes. McGilligan and Mathison show a touching friendship between Sandra and Donna. The performance concludes optimistically, implying that this close bond will weather current and future struggles. The two singers seem deserving of a happy ending.
