the show played out to a crowd of stars

Hannah John-Kamen stars as Viva, a young Authentic Hermes Bagscontestant in an X-Factor style show who’s persuaded to ditch her three girl group mates and go it alone.After waiting for Victoria, David and the Beckham boys to file into the packed Piccadilly Theatre, the show played out to a crowd of stars including Joan Collins and Joanna Lumley.

Most of the rousing chorus numbers are left til the end but belting out solos with gusto is Sally Dexter as Simone, a glamorous botoxed judge who’s swapped family life for fame and fortune.With Saunders’ gags and the sparkling singalong finish, this cheerful slice of nostalgia will certainly spice up your life for a couple of hours, if not forever.

Ab Fab meets The Spice Girls in Viva Hermes Fish Stripe bagsForever!, a lively new musical written by Jennifer Saunders and applauded by the girls themselves at last night’s London premiere.Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Mel C and Mel B hugged and smiled for the cameras in an array of glamorous dresses. Geri, as usual, stood out in a Disney princess-worthy tiered gown in pale blue, whilst Emma and Mel B opted for floor-length dresses with sizeable splits on the thigh. Mel C chose a short grey dress with a beaded belt and midnight blue embellished platforms.

Victoria, however, arrived late due to traffic and so took to the red carpet with her family instead.  David and all three young Beckham boys were suited and booted, with the ever-dapper Romeo in a mini Burberry trench, whilst Victoria looked understatedly chic in a pair of black Isabel Marant trousers, worn with a white shirt and plum coat from her own collection, and black patent courts. The couple’s daughter, Harper, stayed at home.

Though they sat separately throughout the performance, the girls were reunited later in the night as all five took to the Hermes Constance bagsstage to thank the musical’s writer Jennifer Saunders and producer Judy Craymer.