Cher fans, rejoice! A new musical celebrating the life of Cher is coming to Dublin this month. The Cher Show will chart the iconic singer’s meteoric rise to success and, unsurprisingly, the seismic influence the performer has had on the fashion world, particularly through her long-standing relationship with American fashion designer Bob Mackie. (Mackie created some of her most iconic, scene-stealing looks, many of which – including the above image – are now emblazoned across Instagram.) 

The show is written by Tony and Olivier award-winner Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), directed by Arlene Phillips (Saturday Night Fever, Starlight Express, Grease) with choreography by Oti Mabuse (two-time Strictly Come Dancing champion) and features costumes by Gabriella Slade, who is fresh from winning a Tony award for Best Costume Design. We ask Slade about the musical’s finest moments, the detail behind the costumes and how she was inspired by Bob Mackie’s creations when designing the show’s costumes …

Main image: Debbie Kurup as Star in The Cher Show. Image: Pamela Raith.

What is it about Cher – particularly her style – that still appeals, in your opinion?

Cher is a fashion icon. Her collaboration throughout her career with Bob Mackie influenced the art of fashion and performance-wear as a whole. Her choices and forward-thinking approach to style defined her as an artist. Undoubtedly, her looks throughout the years have impacted and changed the landscape of costume design and what it can be. 

In The Cher Show what are the main themes and how do the costumes interact with these themes?

The musical tells the story of Cher from her childhood in the 1950s all the way through to the late 1990s. Three ages, or eras, of Cher are defined in the show – Babe covers the 1950s-1960s era, Lady the 1970s and Star the 1980s and 1990s. The costumes needed to visually punctuate these decades and the years within and depict where she was at in her life and career.

Which is your favourite Cher look of all time, created by Bob Mackie? Talk us through what it is and why you love it.

I love the embellished jumpsuits she wore. Particularly, the two-piece look with the cross-over bodice and beaded sequin flares she wore in the 1970s. This is such an iconic silhouette for Cher. 

Millie O’Connell, Debbie Kurup & Danielle Steers all play Cher in The Cher Show. Image: Pamela Raith.

Tell us a bit about your favourite costume from the show and the role it plays in telling the story. 

My favourite costumes in the show are actually the contemporary backstage bodysuits and dressing gowns worn by the three Chers throughout the show when they are not in flashback mode. These looks visually depict Cher in a 2022 aesthetic so it was really fun brief: to look at her contemporary style but nodding to her 1980s rock and leather aesthetic that has western influences. I included the use of black high-shine Lycra leatherette, mesh, stud work, crystals and fringing.

Did you have any modern inspirations that influenced the costumes in the show? 

I mostly focused my research by looking at Cher and Bob Mackie’s archive but I did also reference contemporary pop artists such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and J-Lo.  

If you had to summarise the costumes from the show in three words, what would they be and why?

Without doubt they’re bold, detailed and dynamic. 

In some ways, the show is a celebration of the relationship between Cher and Bob Mackie. What is it about their relationship that is so special, do you think? 

Their collaboration has been hugely successful – they know and respect each other as artists and designers and together they have created some of the most defining fashion moments in history.

Lucas Rush as Sonny Bono & Millie O’Connell as Babe in The Cher Show. Image: Pamela Raith.

The Cher Show comes to Dublin from July 19 to 30. See here for tickets and further information.