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REVIEW | Million Dollar Quartet, The Arts at Marble Arch Theatre - London
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of honest review. All views are our own
Built and situated on the roundabout of Marble Arch across from Hyde Park, The Arts at Marble Arch is the newest of London theatre venues. The venue is hosting a number of musicals in what is a temporary venue, while the small and homely 350 seater Arts Theatre gets its much needed refurbishment, one of the musicals playing at the venue is Million Dollar Quartet which transfers to London after a summer run at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester.
Following the late and great music voices of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, they meet each other at Sun Record studios on December 4th 1956, with music producer Sam Phillips, for what is an impromptu jam session, in what was first and only time all four stars of that era came together.
Written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, and movment by Joanna Goodwin, the show takes an audience of all ages through this one and only behind closed doors event in history, which well...shaped many peoples likings and favourites still to this day ,though this production struggles to find its feet a little.
Directed by Jonathan O'Boyle, O'Boyle directs well, O'Boyle hones in on the small intimacy of the recording studio, and as the stage is on the floor - same level as the front row, you may feel closer to the story. Though unfortunately the action wants to be bigger but struggles to break out. During the first act O'Boyle struggles to capture the audience, with encouraging clapping and cheering for the stars' entrances within moments of the show beginning, the audience feels reserved, and unsure on joining in, and with a pace that doesn't match the upbeatness of the songs presented, though luckily does pick up during the second act. O'Boyle directs Darren Day (reprising his role of Sam Phillips a non singing role) to be the centred guide anchoring the show as a narrator, which is a good decision for the most part. O'Boyle directs Day at times standing at the edge of stage to watch one of the four and the suddenly back and fourth into a small control booth which becomes repetitive, which feels more like a break from the stage than anything purposeful. There are some nice directed moments such as between Jenay Naima (playing Dyanne), Christopher Erasmus (Playing Johnny Cash) and Joey Bradick (Playing Carl Perkins), plus Naima and Day that work well, but transitional scene changes are noticeable gap fillers for the cast to run from right to left of backstage and some scenes feel abruptly interrupted or sharply ended. O'Boyle's highlighted work is during the musical numbers which lively bursts out creating brilliant performances but then struggles to match throughout.
Written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, Escott and Mutrux, write what I personally feel is a two act musical disconnected with each other, for me the first act feels less connected to its second, with it feeling more episodic and sectioned resulting in an unfortunately vague-ish connection to the second act. Escott and Mutrux write a good introduction to the show and characters in act 1, but that's where I personally feel it struggles to progress to anything more. Nevertheless, act 2 brings a greater narrative, Escott and Mutrux, write a more weighty script for act 2 with more emotion and a clear narrative, but overall Escott and Mutrux write amusing dialogue, some heartfelt moments and create a treasure trove fact file of each of the icons early careers, the songs link well which is okay for this show but for me it sways to a play with music rather than a musical but is a very good dramatised version of events.
The music for this show...well speaks for itself, classic hits from the 4 stars, they feel unchanged and stand on there own allowing the songs just to be their original sound.
Darren Day plays music producer Sam Phillips, Day, a versed performer unfortunately struggles to get the audience on side at first, with Phillips' direct audience address at the start of the show doesn't quite hit straight away, though as we go along, Day's performance becomes likeable and engaging, and guides us through the singular event with Day's stage presence becomes well received. Darren Day delivers a determined performance as music producer Sam Phillips.
Joe Bence steps into the role of Jerry Lee Lewis, Bence gives an enthusiastic performance. with bringing laughter to the audience, Bence's performance on the piano are skilled (as are the rest of the cast playing instruments who really bring out the sound of the classic tunes). Bence delivers what is an engaging performance with sarcastic sharp wit, and also slight tension between the other icons.
I'd like to say, that the cast don't imitate the stars, the show doesn't deliver a like for like likeness, it allows the performers to lean towards adding their own take, style and spin. It feels better for this show to not be exact as it allows the focus of the moment, vocally brilliant all round, and shine individually.
Alex Musgrave's glowing lighting design shines bright, shining with multicolours creating a brilliant display. Libby Watson's set design is statically simple though allows the audience to be in a real life recording studio, with hanging records on the walls and a small control booth which creates a real feeling.
Overall, Million Dollar Quartet is a musical that is put together nicely, whilst act 1 and 2 don't quite connect with each other, it's nevertheless a cheery show for the most part, with nice performances, excellent music and it's for the fans of these stars.
★★★
Million Dollar Quartet plays at The Arts at Marble Arch Theatre until 6th of December before heading out on a UK tour next year: https://milliondollarmusical.com/
