It is ten years since Sunny Afternoon made its first UK tour and I was unable to catch a performance at that time. My friend constantly teased me for missing that opportunity as he thought that the show was never likely to do the rounds again.
I am so glad that he was wrong because this is a piece of musical theatre that is well worth waiting for. Whether you are an avid follower of the Kinks or just love popular music at its rawest, this is a jukebox musical that just has to be seen.
The Kinks began life as The Ravens playing nightclubs as the backing band for Robert Wace (Joseph Richardson) but Wace and his business partner Grenville Collins (Tam Williams) soon realised the potential of the quartet and – despite recognising that they were Tories mixing with the working class – they helped the four young men to realise their dreams.
With frontman Ray Davies (Danny Horn), his brother Dave (Oliver Hoare), bass player Pete Quaife (Harry Curley] and drummer Mick Avory (Zakarie Stokes) the newly and controversially named Kinks overcame two flops with their first couple of releases and had a number One with You Really Got Me.
For those on the outside everything was going swimmingly but life was much less rosy behind the scenes. There was sibling rivalry between Ray and Dave, Dave and Mick really did not get on at all, Dave and Mick were taking every opportunity to enjoy the rewards of young girls chasing them and Pete became increasingly bewildered as to why he was even in the band – he did eventually leave to make a career in the world of art and cartoon drawing.
Success also bred a line of people looking for a slice of the successful act. Wace and Collins were soon joined by Larry Paige (Alasdair Craig and Eddie Kassner (Dominic Gee-Burch) before meeting Allen Klein (Phil Corbitt).
While all of this is going on Ray is trying to spin the plates of running the band, writing new material and developing his relationship with wife Rasa (Lisa Wright) and their new child. Little wonder that a disastrous trip to America almost pushed him over the edge.
If you are interested in how a rock band evolves then this is the show to see. Fabulous rock music played with high energy is what the Kinks are known for and these are delivered in excellent style – what a drummer Stokes is. However, the slower and more poignant parts of the score probably steal the show. Days is wonderfully performed as Wace and Collins leave the management team and I especially liked the way that some of the hits were arranged so that they could be performed by cast ensembles rather than the band itself. Excellent performances from all concerned.
Edward Hall has created a heart-warming experience with his Direction and Miriam Buether has Designed a visually unique set made from speakers and the costumes are spot on. Plaudits also go to Musical Director Michael Cullen. There was also the beautiful staging that allowed characters to enter the stage via the auditorium.
The packed audience needed no coercion to be on their feet as the final music played out and they showed its full appreciation as the final curtain fell. This is by no means a Dead End Street instead it Really Got every audience member who had taken the wise decision to purchase a ticket.
Don’t let this opportunity to see a fabulous musical pass by. You will surely regret it.
The show has a running time of approximately 2 hours 45 minutes and continues its run at the Regent Theatre until April 11th. For ticket information contact atgtickets.com/stoke
