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★★★★
‘Sunny Afternoon’, the biographical musical about the early success of Ray Davies and band The Kinks is currently touring the UK for the second time, over a decade on from a successful West End run which saw it win four Olivier Awards. This week the show is at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, taking audiences back in time to the swinging sixties, specifically Muswell Hill in London where a young rock group’s lives are about to change forever. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to watch the show on opening night here in Kent and in the saturated genre of jukebox musicals, I am pleased to say that this show stands on its own, thanks to Joe Penhall’s strong narrative and the effortless actor-musician performances.
About the show
Set in the early 1960s, the musical opens with the band ready to sign their very first contracts, after being spotted performing at a function. Originally using a different name, the audience quickly finds out how the group formed and began to be known as The Kinks. Central to the story are the founding members Ray Davies (Danny Horn), Dave Davies (Oliver Hoare), Pete Quaife (Harry Curley) and Mick Avory (Zakarie Stokes), as well as their management team, record label and families. The road to success isn’t straightforward, with their first couple of singles underperforming and the arrival of ‘You Really Got Me’ and its iconic chords launching the band to success. Over the course of 2 hours 40 minutes of theatre we learn of what happened between the members during the height of their fame, the subsequent impact on their loved ones and how they ended up banned from the USA. It is definitely a story where the excitement and momentum of the band’s early days can’t quite be matched in the second act, but in the latter scenes audiences are able to see the impact of fame on the group.
Musical elements
With nearly thirty of the band’s songs making it into the setlist, the musical elements and sound design are fundamental parts of the show. Both the principal cast and ensemble are made up of incredibly talented actor-musicians who bring the tracks to life live on stage, practically becoming the musical legends. Alternating between rock concert-level energy (think booming beats and electric vocals) and softer more melodic scenes (just Ray Davies and a guitar), the production takes you through both their rollercoaster start in the industry and their extensive back catalogue.
At times you couldn’t always hear the lyrics to the musical numbers, with the amplification of the backing overpowering the vocals in places. With slightly stronger sound balancing this show would hit all of the right notes, further showcasing the musical talents of the company.
A musical love letter to The Kinks and their success
What is fantastic about ‘Sunny Afternoon’ is that even if you aren’t a devoted fan of The Kinks, there is so much to enjoy within the narrative that you will certainly leave the theatre having learned something new about the people behind these 60s anthems. The strength of the musical performances and commitment to creating the spirit of the sixties makes this a highly entertaining watch. You can catch the show at the Marlowe Theatre until Saturday 7th February, with last minute tickets available via the theatre’s website.
*My ticket for ‘Sunny Afternoon’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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