Posts with the label Simon Bailey
Showing posts with label Simon Bailey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simon Bailey. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 February 2019
Jersey Boys (UK Tour), Edinburgh Playhouse | Review
Jersey Boys (UK Tour)
Edinburgh Playhouse
Reviewed on Wednesday 20th February 2019 by Liv Ancell
★★★
The latest touring show to grace the Edinburgh Playhouse with a two-week residence is the all-singing show, Jersey Boys. Although, upon curtains up, you could be mistaken for thinking you had perhaps turned up to the wrong show by accident, with an off-theme French contemporary rap song (Ces soirées-là) kicking off the show - the relevance of course, being that the Jersey Boys’ original songwriting and melodies are frequently covered and adapted by modern artists to this day. With this firmly established, we immediately move back to the 1960s where the story of the Jersey Boys - this being of course the collective term for the four iconic Newark lads who formed the rock and roll group The Four Seasons - all began...
The layout of the performance is such that a different band member in term breaks the fourth wall and introduces parts of the story, or cuts in and interjects the action with a retrospective narrative. They do this in turns and add in their side of the story, but the first up is Tommy Devito, who was one of the groups founding members and in the stage version, is the loudest and most animated of the four protagonists (played by Simon Bailey).
As Tommy takes us back to the early days of ‘The Lovers’, we begin to learn more about the ups-and-downs the band navigated on their way to stardom, set against the backdrop of Italian-American life in 1960s Newark, New Jersey.
The songs throughout are sung expertly, keeping true to the band members’ Jersey accents and famous tones and pitches. To master historical regional accents must be no easy feat, but the cast had the audience well convinced.
The actors are all meticulous in their portrayals, which is made even more apparent when the screen at the back of the stage projects the real life performance from the 1960s, synced in time above the actors’ own rendition. Indeed, Michael Watson (Frankie Valli), Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio), Lewis Griffiths (Nick Massi) and Simon Bailey (Tommy DeVito) all put in truly stellar performances, with the energy kept high throughout and displayed fantastic comedy timing.
While I have seen many retrospective artist/band stories translated to the stage, this one was possibly the version which glazed the most over the more emotive scenes and elements of the story. In this adaptation, there is no doubt that the iconic songs of the Four Seasons are the real focus.
For the audience, who were mostly made up of slightly older theatre-goers, this was a welcome move. Renditions of Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take my Eyes off You and December 1963 (Oh What a Night) had the audience delighted, with the warm feeling of nostalgia palpable in the stalls, circle and balcony.
For me however, stage biopics about the life and hits of Carole King and Cilla Black were a more rapturous journey to sit back and watch; emotive scenes were explored in depth, with the audience really riding the highs and lows of the protagonists. In this version however, scenes which should have had the audience sympathising at great lengths with the characters (I won’t spoil anything…) were instead given very little stage time, squeezed between hits guaranteed to get the audience going.
In terms of staging, an industrial static set-up dominates the stage, serving well at times as a prison and a recording studio. However, the set wasn’t particularly versatile or inventive. The screen backdrop was intended to assist in varying up the settings, although there were a few times when seemingly random pop-art pieces were flashed onto this screen in the middle of scenes. This was rather a gimicky addition which didn’t add to the sense of time and place, and only served to distract.
There’s no doubt, this is a true feel good musical which will have you tapping your toes, but if you’re after a rollercoaster journey of emotion, this one probably isn’t for you.
Jersey Boys runs at the Edinburgh Playhouse until March 2nd
photo credit: Rob MacDougall
Saturday, 22 December 2018
Jersey Boys (UK Tour), New Theatre Oxford | Review
Jersey Boys (UK Tour)
New Theatre Oxford
Reviewed on Wednesday 19th December 2018 by Donna Meredith
★★★★★
I was very excited to see Jersey Boys at The New Theatre in Oxford, having missed it in the West End. Having been lucky enough to see a short set by the Jersey Boys at our company conference a few years ago I was keen to enjoy the full production.
This is essentially a rags to riches story of true New Jersey Boys who all had somewhat dubious existences, peppered with criminal activity, gambling and incarceration. Far from being the clean-cut boys next door, these were lads who really did make it, against all the odds. Four friends from New Jersey who united together to create one of the most successful groups of their time.
The cast are led by Michael Watson (Frankie Valli), Simon Bailey (Tommy DeVito), Lewis Griffiths (Nick Massi) and Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio). Each performer is fabulous individually but together they have a chemistry that is simply brilliant.
The sound of the Four Seasons is of course unique but is emulated superbly by these exceptional vocalists, who manage effortlessly to recreate the sound which made The Four Seasons’ sound so distinctive.
The show is jam-packed with the group’s hits – Beggin’, Oh What A Night, Earth Angel, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sherry and Bye Bye Baby, to name just a few. My personal highlight was the performance of My Eyes Adored You by Valli and Mary Delgado (played exceptionally by Tara Young); in a show that is full of humour and upbeat songs, it makes for a beautiful, touching interlude.
Of course, Frankie Valli knew personal tragedy as well as fame and fortune and Michael Watson’s wonderful rendition of Fallen Angel, a song remembering his deceased daughter, was heart-wrenching but beautifully delivered.
This show both surprised and delighted me with the rollercoaster of real life emotions, experienced through a story of not only musical history, but also warmed the soul with the message of the enduring loyalty of friendship.
I must also mention that for a touring show, the cast, creative team and orchestra all come together to produce something quite spectacular – bravo !
Jersey Boys is a perfect night’s entertainment performed by a superbly talented cast which will leave you wanting more and I am sure, see you leaving the theatre, as I did thinking …“Oh What a Night”. I am sure I will be humming those tunes for days to come!
Thursday, 18 October 2018
Jersey Boys (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review
Jersey Boys (UK Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 17th October 2018 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Jersey Boys is one of those musicals that pretty much everyone has heard of, it needs little marketing and has a bit of a cult status after is various runs around the world. For that reason and the fact that the music of the Four Seasons is so well known, the packed New Victoria Theatre is a hub of excitement as people bop in their seats and enjoy this lively, moving musical.
The cast are led by Dayle Hodge (Frankie Valli), Simon Bailey (Tommy DeVito), Lewis Griffiths (Nick Massi) and Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio). Each performer is vocally fabulous individually, but when they come together, they create absolute vocal magic and create a harmonious, chemistry filled team. Hodge is absolutely brilliant as Valli as he performs the classic falsetto sounds with vocal ease and evidently strong technique. Mention must also go to Tara Young who is fiery and vulnerable as Mary Delgado and Mark Heenehan who is extremely versatile and strong in the various roles he plays.
The musical tells the story of how four friends from Jersey united to form one of the most unique and successful music groups of their time. The series of ups and downs, including grief, time in prison and romantic failures, make a great storyline which show the rollercoaster of life in a natural and well constructed way. Alongside the popular music and continuous humour, a strong and enjoyable show has been formed which is sure to continue thrilling audiences.
Musically this production is outstanding. The fast pace of the show means we are dragged through a maelstrom of music which is performed well not only by the leads but supported brilliantly by the ensemble and band led by Francis Goodhand. Alongside smooth set design from Klara Zieglerova and sound design from Steve Canyon Kennedy we are transported not only on the journey of the group, but feel as though we really are at a concert, which brings a lovely energy to the theatre. Jeff Goldstein's costume also bring an authentic touch to the show.
Overall this is a superbly slick production that long time fans and newbies are sure to enjoy. For a night of carefree fun, join the Four Seasons and experience the happiness their music brings.
Jersey Boys runs at the New Victoria Theatre until 27th October before continuing its tour.
photo credit: Brinkhoff/Mögenburg
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