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Co-authored by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
Directed by Jonathan O'Boyle
Directed by Jonathan O'Boyle
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| The cast of Million Dollar Quartet |
Rarely does a jukebox musical sound as though it had been lifted straight from, well, a classic jukebox. But played out on Libby Watson’s set, lavished with neon that ingeniously suggests an authentic 1950s Wurlitzer, Million Dollar Quartet does just that. Over two hours the most gifted actor-musician company in town recreate the (real life) magical evening at Tennessee’s Sun Studios in December 1956 when, for one night only, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley came together to salute Sam Phillips, the studios’ owner and the man who had launched all their careers.
Boasting a platinum-plated track list, the evening is a sparkling tribute to both rock and roll and rockabilly with songs that are not just stunningly sung, but have their timeless melodies played to perfection.
Of the quartet, Christopher Erasmus’s Johnny Cash is the most unnervingly realistic - his baritenor voice plumbing delicious Cash-defining depths, that is matched only by his impeccable guitar skills. The remaining trio of leads are equally gifted with Joey Bradick’s Carl Perkins and Connor Payne’s Elvis proving simililarly flawless in their delivery and guitar work. Joe Bence as Jerry Lee Lewis however, not only leads his songs spectacularly, his phenomenally manic piano playing (Bence is also the show’s music captain) has to be seen to be believed. Jenay Naima plays Presley’s girlfriend Dyanne - who also turns in a neat take on Fever - , while Darren Day gives a thoughtfully poignant performance as Phillips, the man who having discovered the four stars (as well as Roy Orbison!) ultimately recognising that Sun Studios were too small for his protégés’ stellar trajectories.
The evening’s music is a glorious compilation that acknowledges the sounds’ deeply Christian/Gospel roots. Every song sparkles, with some harmonies (including a remarkable fusion of 16 Tons with My Babe) proving exquisite, such is the talent on stage.
Million Dollar Quartet is a tribute to an era that was to shape popular music for decades to come - the ultimate jukebox musical.
Runs until 6th December
Photo credit: Alex Tabrizi
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