REVIEW - JERSEY BOYS - TRAFALGAR THEATRE -

Oh what a night!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this show, I didn’t really know the storyline or much about it, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. One Saturday I managed to score a front row seat through Today Tix rush (I love you).

Jersey Boys follows the story of 1960s band, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, as the band is first formed and then through to their eventual break up. The musical is structured into four “seasons” with each part being narrated by a different member of the band. We therefore learn the perspective of each of them.

The show has finally returned to the West End after its last run closed in 2017, and its not set up camp in Trafalgar theatre, which is quite an intimate venue compared to others in the West End.

First of all I have to mention, Ben Joyce’s falsetto which is sublime and he makes a perfect Frankie Valli. This is his West End Debut which is incredibly impressive, especially as he only graduated drama school last summer. He absolutely nails the nasally falsetto voice of Frankie, and its clear he is having the time of his life up on that stage.

Benjamin Yates plays Tommy DeVito and is the ultimate cool guy, with the swagger and charisma to match. He really stood out for me in this role, and I found myself drawn to him in the group numbers. I was so disappointed when he disappears in the second half of the show.

Adam Bailey’s (Bob Gaudio) voice is beautiful and “Cry for Me” was a perfect moment in the show. There are absolutely no weak links within this cast, their vocals, acting and moves are on point throughout.

Where this show really wins is in its soundtrack. There are so many great songs, including “Sherry” and “Beggin’”.

The staging is quite simple and although props are brought onto the stage throughout, the main background remains the same throughout the show. Which is unusual for a West End production, but the ensemble and their quick transitions make it work very well. The theatre is also quite small and makes the show more intimate.

One of the parts of the show I loved the most is at the very end. Each of the four leads delivers a monologue to the audience about what the band meant to them and what they done afterwards. All of these were filled with real emotion and delivered impeccably well.

I absolutely adored this show and was desperate to see it again the minute I left the theatre. I definitely will be back soon!

Seen in February 2022 – with the Cast including; Ben Joyce (Frankie Valli), Benjamin Yates (Tommy DeVito), Adam Bailey (Bob Gaudio), Karl James Wilson (Nick Massi), Melanie Bright (Mary Delgado & Others), Koko Basigara (Lorraine & Others), Ben Irish (Bob Crewe), Mark Isherwood (Gyp de Carlo), Matteo Johnson (Joe Pesci), Jacob McIntosh (Barry Belson), Helen Ternent (Francine & Others). SWINGS: Elliot Allinson, Jack Campbell, Huon Mackley, Bonnie Page and Andy Smith.