Jersey Boys West End–’Utterly Wonderful’
March 21st, 2008Paul Callan of The Daily Express adored Jersey Boys, and so did the audience!
The show, with its sharp edge and documentary style, stunned Broadway – and it did just that again on Tuesday night in London. The audience rose as one at the end of a show that brought memories flooding back to many. And on stage, it is the four young men, in their sharp Italian suits and slicked-down hair, who bring back that close harmony sound that became iconic.
The stage design, by Klara Zieglerova, is clever and fast-moving, using changing and powerful Pop Art designs.
The whole show recreates the atmosphere of the times when The Four Seasons were at the height of their fame. And it also highlights the closeness of the Mafia – always there, sinister and dark, in the background.This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power. It is full of atmosphere and I half expected to see Tony Soprano and his chums leading Tuesday night’s great ovation. And it is one of the shows which, as you go home, still has your head filled with its magical songs.
I guess Londoners sensibilities are different for ours. Or did the story change to highlight the undeworld connections to suit American stereotypes held by our ancestors across the pond? To me, the mafia connection always seemed secondary to the emergence of the talent and charm of the boys from New Jersey. The Broadway Jersey Boys is full of hope, joy, and redemption. I guess I’ll have to go to London to see a darker Jersey Boys. Happy to hear it is a success!
Comment by L — March 22, 2008 @ 7:42 am