JERSEY BOYS | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Wed 16 Jan
This iconic feelgood show came back to the Wales Millennium Centre with a new cast. Straight from the curtain opening, bam – straight into a French hip-hop number set to the tune of Oh What A Night, and we were off and running. The pace and assault on the senses does not let up throughout the entire show. The energy and charisma of the four leads is brilliant.
Pulling off the unique sound of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons is no mean feat, but the lead and all three backing vocalists were utterly brilliant. Michael Watson, Peter Nash, Declan Egan and Lewis Griffiths gave memorable performances that flowed throughout; their amazing voices picked up when needed and were equally captivating for the gentler moments.
The protagonist of the Four Seasons was Bob Gaudio, who pushed the group to the success it became. Tommy DeVito got them into no end of scrapes through various Machiavellian shenanigans, including a massive tax evasion scandal which nearly caused their bankruptcy. Nick Massi, the fourth member, made up the legendary sound that was the Four Seasons, a name they picked up from a signpost that they saw one night.
As soon as the hits came out of their mouths, the audience just beamed – from Walk Like A Man, Earth Angel, Big Girls Don’t Cry and of course My Eyes Adored You – beautifully sung here. you cannot help but get drawn into their fascinating story and their individual backgrounds. Their songwriting still resonates today, as do all the great songs. From the wrong side of the tracks in Jersey, peppered with tales from their life on the streets, family problems, gambling, drugs and the price of fame, this is a classic. The support cast were particularly talented, the scene where the guys take a girl band with them on tour showing their skill and diversity.
Despite the ups and downs, Jersey Boys is an upbeat portrayal of hopes and dreams. All four bandmates got a deserved standing ovation after a crazy, uplifting and magical couple of hours. The only slight disappointment: it could have been longer with a 10-15 minute medley of tunes at the end – the audience was up for it!
words ANTONIA LEVAY