Jersey Boys - Theatre Review

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys UK

Philip Bulcock, Ryan Molloy, Stephen Ashfield, Glenn Carter

Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli

A big hit in the States – where the concept probably carries greater resonance because of the New Jersey setting and music that sits more comfortably in the minds of 60s America than 60s Britain – Jersey Boys nevertheless makes it to our shores with much to recommend it to West End audiences.

The story, which it has to be said takes a distinct back seat to the music, centres on the members of the Four Seasons, from their rise in the 60s to their fragmentation in the 70s and the then projection into the limelight of lead singer Frankie Valli, which led to a second wind of success that carried far further than many other acts of that generation could have hoped for.

I’ve got to admit that I was too young to remember Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, although that didn’t stop me tapping my toes to the recognisable tunes.

Added to this is the fact that if you didn’t catch the hits first time round, there’s every chance you would have picked up someone else’s cover or heard one of the songs hosting a TV advert at some point, such is the universal appeal of their music.

The four main characters in the story all have charisma and energy, although leads Ryan Molloy as Frankie and Glenn Carter as Tommy Di Veto pretty much steal the show, whilst Philip Bullock as Nick Massi manages to leave his mark with a performance that is understated but pitched just right.

By the end of the evening, even though there were a noticeable number of Americans in the audience, most people were up on their feet and joining in with the energetic finale. It may be little more than “bubble gum” hits but for pure escapism and enthusiasm you’ll be hard pressed to find a better show out there at the moment.

If there is a criticism, it could be that the lack of depth to the story leaves you with little more than a fantastic tribute act playing out hits to the backdrop of some scattered biographical facts. Yes, there is mention of hardship and crime, the mafia and addiction but as soon as the story comes anywhere close to taking itself or its subject matter seriously, the cast burst into song with another “throw-away” hit and everything seems “peachy” again.

I feel these dramatic scenes needed the pen of a more cultured writer to do them justice but instead felt like they were delivered by a seven year old with crayons and a “sunshine and roses” outlook on life!

Still, if you’re looking to be entertained rather than informed, then Jersey Boys could not come with a better recommendation. You’ll certainly leave the theatre smiling and I guarantee many of you will still be humming at least one of the tunes several days later.