Jersey Boys - Review

Churchill Theatre, Bromley

****

Music by Bob Gaudio

Lyrics by Bob Crewe

Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Directed by Des McAnuff

The cast of Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys returns to the UK touring circuit, with this stand-out musical about The Four Seasons playing at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre for this week only. 

What is so attractive about the show is that not only does it offer a chance to hear the band’s hit songs played live, it also reveals how much they were ordinary people. With their own flaws and troubles, the show reveals what happened in their lives and what formed their music.

Michael Pickering plays Frankie Valli, showing the lead singer's journey from a humble Italian family to worldwide stardom. It isn’t easy to sing like Frankie, with his unique lead falsetto voice and Pickering performs well, matched by his acting. 

Dalton Woods’ Tommy DeVito unfolded more stories of the band’s history, from his initial co-performance with Frankie, with little success, to the full team-up of the Four Lovers, as the band was originally known that was to raise them and him to chart fame.  Lewis Griffith as Nick Massi and Blair Gibson as Bob Gaudio complete the quartet, with the show providing a glorious showcase to classic hits including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, My Eyes Adored You, Dawn, Go Away and Who Loves You

For South East Londoners, Jersey Boys at the Churchill Theatre is a must see, especially if you want to enjoy a show that is all about the highest West End standards in musical theatre, but at a far more affordable ticket price!

Runs until 11th June, then continues on tour

Jersey Boys - Review

Trafalgar Theatre, London

**** 

Music by Bob Gaudio

Lyrics by Bob Crewe

Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Directed by Des McAnuff

The cast of Jersey Boys

A cast - each stars in their own right - perform a riveting, but also humble take on the lives of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Jersey Boys is a story about growing up, the sacrifices that we make along the way and the heartbreak of those left behind, with phenomenal songs to tie it all together.

Ben Joyce leads the cast in his West-End debut as Frankie Valli, with an uncanny musical resemblance to that of the man himself. His voice is distinctive and powerful and manages to capture Frankie’s uniquely powerful falsetto. You won’t leave the show forgetting about his voice any time soon. The audience were in uproar at his solo performances, in particular, the very famous “I can’t take my eyes off of you”, which is without a doubt one of the best renditions of the song. Joyce plays a star, but his authenticity and emotional depth that he brings to Valli is what makes the character truly come alive.

 

Supporting Joyce to make up The Four Seasons are Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Karl James Wilson as Nick Masel and Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito. All three give sublime performances in their roles and are just as much stars of the show as Joyce.

Indeed, when the four perform together it is a truly fantastical experience. From Sergio Trujillo's brilliantly choreographed dance moves (Joyce does the splits!) to their 1960s costumes, this show does everything to make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. A live, black and white video is even displayed at the back of the theatre screen while they are performing the timeless hits. 

Special mention must be given to Yates who encapsulates everything De Vito was about. Being the first character story that the show begins with, Benjamin’s cocky, confident and downright smooth performance firmly thrusts the audience into the golden era of doo-wop quartets performing under the late night street lamps of New Jersey. De Vito is the progenitor of the group, bringing ‘green’ Frankie in and taking him under his wing, despite all his floors, if it wasn’t for De Vito we wouldn’t have the Frankie as we know it. And Yates' portrayal stays cool from beginning to end, eyes are often drawn to his background dancing which just oozes 1960s style.

The set with mics emerging from the stage and street lamps descending from the rafters is the fifth member of the ensemble, truly transporting the audience to the time and period. A fantastic show that the whole family will enjoy.

Booking until 2 January 2022 and also on tour

Photo credit: Mark Senior