Marble Arch Theatre – booking until 17 February. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
The Deep South has come to London, with a sign saying welcome to New Orleans above the entrance, Five Guys Named Moe isn’t just a show, it’s a party. Arrive early to enjoy the 1940’s style cocktail bar (with live band above it that have the audience singing along in the interval) and carry on partying after the show until 11.
Staging the show in a Speigeltent allows this production to completely reinvent itself, and director Clarke Peters has embraced the opportunity to immerse the audience in the show, with those nearest the stage in the pit at club tables, surrounded by a revolve/walkway with further seating around that. My one word of warning to the vertically challenged is DON’T book seats in rows D or E of the stalls. If there are tall people in front of you, you won’t see a thing. The front of house staff (the friendliest and most helpful in London) will reseat you if possible, but if it’s a full house, you’re scuppered.
Clarke Peters loving tribute to the songs of Louis Jordan has the feel of a musical revue rather than a deep plot, but that if fully and humorously acknowledged with groaned lines like “Oh no, that sounds like a cue for another song”, and characters sweetly apologising for any misogynistic lyrics.
Nomax (Edward Baruwa – wonderfully dishevelled and shuffling compared to the Moes) is a drunken bum, whose girlfriend has finally had enough and dumped him. As he drowns his sorrows with music and drink, five guys burst out of his radio and furniture and try to show him the error of his ways. The second act shifts to the Moes’ cabaret at The Funky Butt Club, with Nomax sitting in the audience as the Moes do their thing. That’s about it. The show touches on Nomax’s possible alcoholism, but the Moes main aim is to get Nomax to stop taking his girl for granted.
The five Moes, Big Moe (Horace Oliver), Know Moe (Dex Lee), Little Moe (Idriss Kargbo), Four-Eyed Moe (Ian Carlyle) and Eat Moe (Emile Ruddock) are sublime. Choreographer Mykal Rand has created some intricate numbers, with a beautifully authentic and timely feel, and the cast make it all look ridiculously effortless. Dex Lee’s splits are a thing to behold, and Kargbo is a whirlwind on stage – just wait until you see his hat collection! Each Moe gets his own solo numbers, and the voices are as good as the dancing. Standouts for me were Ruddock’s smooth rendition of Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’, a gloriously silly Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens, and a magical medley including Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby? All the songs are phenomenal, with lots, especially in the second act, instantly recognisable. Jordan’s influence on jazz, R&B and rock and roll is legendary, and every number gets your foot tapping. There is a lot of audience participation, developing a real party atmosphere.
Five Guys Named Moe is feel-good entertainment at its best – joyous and celebratory, this is the best party in London. Let’s face it, when the cast lead the entire audience in a conga line to the bar at the interval, you know that everyone’s having a blast. Get a ticket and warm the cockles of your heart this Winter.