Jersey Boys - Review by Guy Conroy-Smith | British Youth Music Theatre

Jersey Boys - Review by Guy Conroy-Smith

***** (5 Stars)

Prince Edward Theatre, London - Tuesday 10 December, 2013

"Oh what a night" indeed! Jersey Boys returns to the West End with a fantastic new cast.

The story of four boys from Jersey who took the world of Rock 'n' Roll by storm, selling over 100 million records, showing how they adapted as a group and as individuals.

The production is fast and slick with a fantastically-fresh flair for songs that are over 50 years old, still with a Jersey bite giving it a gritty growl when it comes to family.

Former-member of pop band S Club 7, Jon Lee plays the highly demanding lead role of Frankie Valli with an astounding falsetto not to be messed with. His stamina throughout the show is incredible, making it seem effortless. Faultless. Why did he never use it in S club 7?!

The brains of the quartet Bob Gaudio, is brilliantly played by Chris Gardner. Hard man and leader, Tommy DeVito (Jon Boydon) and perfectionist Nick Massi (David McGranaghan), both show a ferocious Jersey bark and a strong eye that could intimidate even the back row. The delightfully camp Bob Crewe (Will Barratt) as the quartet’s producer does not over-play his character’s camp qualities, which was a delight to see.

The supporting cast has some lovely characters; Tommy Earl Jenkins’ glares into the audience are very effective as well as the action-packed set transitions are fast paced so there's never a dull moment.

The Jersey Boys find a girl group, The Angels, who perform a version of “My Boyfriend’s Back,” which could have been improved with a bit more energy and facial expression, nevertheless, the choreography is interesting and precise from the outset and throughout.

Set and costume design wonderfully integrated the Boys' uniformity while including their personalities and backgrounds.

Original Jersey boy, Bob Gaudio, composer of the production, which comes as no surprise as he wrote his first hit at 15, teamed with Director, Des McAnuff, to create a show that includes the drama within the band but most importantly the music, which was “what it was all about”.

Seeing the band throughout each number really makes the audience feel as though we are part of the show, lifting everyone’s mood till the end of the show as everyone got up on their feet to dance. I left the theatre singing some of the songs from the show, not worrying at all what I sounded like, brilliant fun! (Perhaps not for other commuters).

Jersey Boys is playing at the Prince Edward Theatre until 14 March - it then transfers to the Piccadilly Theatre. Buy your tickets here: http://www.jerseyboyslondon.com 

Jersey Boys Prince Edward Theatre