Jersey Boys

This is the musical retelling of the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. For nearly a year now, audiences have been flocking to see Jersey Boys, the story of four working-class boys from the wrong neighbourhood who find a way out through singing and end up selling 175 million records of their own sounds and songs.

Under the direction of Des McAnuff, all the old classic songs of the group, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Can’t Take My Eyes off of You” and “Sherry” find a new lease of life. Most people will know these songs, but they won’t know the personal stories and the background to this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, and this is perhaps the biggest draw of the show. The Rags to Riches story is probably not suitable for children under 12 though, due to the strong language which is contained within the show. If you haven’t got the kids in tow though, get on down to the Prince Edward Theatre for a musical feast that will have you singing along from start to finish.

The musical deals with the band’s sudden rise to fame, but also their split and the aftermath of their career; the enduring legacy of their music. Indeed the very fact that they have now been enshrined in a West End musical is testament to their unashamedly catchy pop music which they created to speak to people whom they saw as just like themselves. Blue-Collar workers in depressed parts of the United States desperately trying to make their own way in the world. It’s a heart-warming story and one which is a great antidote to the often impersonality and harshness of the city of London.

The Daily Telegraph announced the show to be “phenomenal” and the shows nominations in 5 categories of this year’s Olivier awards would seem to back up this claim. It has been raking in other accolades too, winning Capital FM’s Best West End Show Award and picking up 4 What’s On stage awards. The cast is headed up by the brilliant Ryan Molloy who takes on the unenviable task of bringing Franki Valli to the stage, whilst the likes of Glenn Carter and Stephen Ashfield help bring the rest of the Four Seasons to life. Valli was born more than 70 years ago and yet his life and music still have great pertinence and relevance today.